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A new Virulent strain HIV
- Thread starter wdlove
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daveL said:
not quite, it looks like it's dormant because there are no symptoms, but in reality it's anything but dormant. HIV launches a massive assault on the immune system and the number of CD4 cells increases by about a factor of 10. this completely wears out the immune system in about ten years, and once it stops working you get AIDS.
anybody here read The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett? if so, you'll see the connection, if not, read it.
--andrzej
it occurs to me, this could be a good thing in a way if this strain of HIV effectively takes over and causes the other strains to die out. (not that that's very likely) the faster it kills people the less people get infected so it would eventually just burn out like ebola does when it surfaces. again, that would only happen if this strain causes the other strains to die out, and there would be a huge amount of lives lost 
--andrzej
--andrzej
bousozoku said:
You and Paul are so right on.
The issue is also the ignorance that those that engage in same sex activity do so only with the same sex. Honest discussion of sexual behavior is the only answer to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS
Also this new strain may provide an understanding that HIV/AIDS is not a "treatable" disease that many have come to expect from the treatments available.
im_noahselby said:
One of the puzzling aspects that I have seen. Some within the Gay community actually engage in risky behavior to catch HIV/AIDS. Some believing it is a treatable disease, others that want an escape from life - yet have some "fun" at it.
Many have not seen what I have seen in the last 20+ years of this disease. It is not easy on the victim or their loved ones. And the human as well as financial cost is staggering.
aplasticspork said:it occurs to me, this could be a good thing in a way if this strain of HIV effectively takes over and causes the other strains to die out. (not that that's very likely) the faster it kills people the less people get infected so it would eventually just burn out like ebola does when it surfaces. again, that would only happen if this strain causes the other strains to die out, and there would be a huge amount of lives lost
--andrzej
One of the concerns is the "what if" the HIV virus attaches itself to another virus that is less deadly.
HIV - The virus that infects you. It lies dormant, replicates in white blood cells (which are your anti-viral cells), thereby destroying them and creating more virii to destroy more white blood cells.
AIDS - Once you have no immune system, you are prone to everything! That's what AIDS is really.
In my belief, HIV is a virus that has crossed species. I mean think about it, where have we seen something that is so virulent and susceptible to every little bug. AIDS is quite comparable to having Windows injected into your body. And we all know, if we were to use windows to control our bodies we are F U B A R
This isn't really meant as a joke. The analogy in my opinion is a really good one.
AIDS - Once you have no immune system, you are prone to everything! That's what AIDS is really.
In my belief, HIV is a virus that has crossed species. I mean think about it, where have we seen something that is so virulent and susceptible to every little bug. AIDS is quite comparable to having Windows injected into your body. And we all know, if we were to use windows to control our bodies we are F U B A R
This isn't really meant as a joke. The analogy in my opinion is a really good one.
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snkTab said:
I personally object to the separation of HIV and AIDS. I understand the medical distinction, but in the end it allows for some to trivialize the seriousness of the disease.
Chip NoVaMac said:
I'm not really seperating them. They are after all, cause and effect. Previously someone did ask for the difference. This is just more information over what was also added upon that. AIDS and HIV are quite interchangable untill you actually start talking about someone who has it and need to clarify the stage of condition he's in. I think now (because of the meds) this is more the truth. However before, the distinction was greater because having HIV was of course bad, but having AIDS and being in the condition AIDS puts you in is a whole lot worse.
In the end, I don't think there should be any problem seperating them, because having AIDS is still that much worse.
snkTab said:
Granted, but as long as we separate the two; we will have people rationalizing their exposure risk. Just as we have those that use HIV status to argue against equal rights for the homosexual population in regards to civil law on property.
Just found this article on the net regarding the documentary about "The Gift" and HIV. I think this is only the minority of minority group.im_noahselby said:
http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=25009
Chip NoVaMac said:
That is a very big problem, many in the homosexual community have become complacent. The feeling has evolved that the drug cocktail has provided a "cure." This has given a false sense of security. The only hope is that this will cause those that are doing activities of risky behavior, will return to practicing safe behavior. Is this virus is replicating and injects itrself into the larger community, the reuslts could be devastating. It may take years to get back to where we were of just the ability to control HIV/AIDS.
wdlove said:
Agreed here.
I agree about "safe-sex" practices. My history is that I started SAIN BBS( Sexually-Transmited/AIDS Information Network) back at the start of the disease. So prevention is something that I have been preaching for a number of years now.
There is a danger in your words (though I agree with the premise) that the HIV/AIDS issue is reliant on the homosexual for its spread. And that is not the clear cut case. It depends on the area of the globe you want to look at. Here in the US the feelings expressed as I saw it, are used by the "right" to say that homosexuality is wrong, and a risk to the health of those "tempted" by going "Gay".
For me it is your "larger community" comment that causes concern. With HIV/AIDS, are we only to be alarmed when it hits "closer to home", rather than those that we feel are "marginal" or those that don't meet our views of a "healthy lifestyle"?
I am not denying that the homosexual population is a perhaps "strong" breeding ground for the HIV/AIDS virus. In the end though it is attitudes of "worthlessness" that breeds behavior. Perhaps if we worked beyond the stereotype of the word "marriage"; and allowed individuals to share in the American Experience, they would not seek out the sub-cultures that is a breeding ground for diseases like this. It becomes a matter of self-worth.
It is now far past the time for us to put past our biases and prejudices, so that disenfranchised can start to take responsibility for their actions. For yu being in healthcare have seen what disenfranchisement can do to the persons self-worth and and in the end - their own health.
Chip NoVaMac said:
I truly hope I'm reading this wrong, but if you think legalizing gay marriage will stop the AIDS problem, you need to get back on your cracker. Roughly half of all marriages fail, and I couldn't even begin to guess how many marriages have at least one cheating partner. AIDS is a plague, and getting married is no practical defense, whether you're straight, gay, other, or whatever. Knowing how to protect yourself, actually doing it, and not engaging in high-risk behavior are what's necessary.
I am guessing Chip NoVaMac doesn't meant it to be this way. I think he was trying to say is that if the society is more accepting of the gay community, it might aid in alleviating the hide and seek game most are playing. The sense of outcast and alienation may cause members of the gay community to embark on a destructive lifestyle which expose him/her to higher chances of getting AIDS/HIV.CorvusCamenarum said:
angelneo said:
Fair enough, I can see where he might be going with that, but even still, it's not much of a valid argument. If that's what he means, then it sounds like the gay version of the twinkie defense. It also speaks to another problem, the ever-growing reluctance of people to take responsibility for themselves and their own actions, and lay blame anywhere but where it usually belongs.
this is definitely a scary thing, im glad that i practice safe sex when i do get some, which isnt often anymore, but thats another story
whats sad is that so many people are just not informed correctly about AIDS & HIV that it causes epidemics like in Africa. Hopefully humanity as a whole will be able to overcome this disease/virus
whats sad is that so many people are just not informed correctly about AIDS & HIV that it causes epidemics like in Africa. Hopefully humanity as a whole will be able to overcome this disease/virus
HIV is a virus which when transmitted through whatever infects the body. What happenes is it attacks the T helper lymphocytes which help to activate a response to illness. It is so hard to treat because when it reproduces it somehow takes part of the cell membraine or something so the body recognises the virus as part of the body so it doesnt attack. When there are no T helper cells there can be no resistance to disease which is the point where you die from anything, even from a common cold. This is AIDS.
HIV is a state of dormancy between the origional infection and when the virus starts to divide.
Well that is the best description of HIV i can give but it seems that this strain doesn't have a however many years dormancy phase and instead dormancy is days or weeks... Nasty
Dr Bognus!!!!
HIV is a state of dormancy between the origional infection and when the virus starts to divide.
Well that is the best description of HIV i can give but it seems that this strain doesn't have a however many years dormancy phase and instead dormancy is days or weeks... Nasty
Dr Bognus!!!!
CorvusCamenarum said:
Granted you have a strong point about protecting oneself from this disease. But when you "marginalize" a group of people, you allow for self destructive behavior.
Opponents of same-sex unions use talk of the suicides, drug abuse, and multiple partners within the homosexual community as some of the reasons that we are destructive to the society as a whole. Never mind that some within the homosexual community turn to a destructive lifestyle because of fear and depression, because they are accused of being "bad", a "sinner".
I am not saying that we would see an overnight change by acceptance within society in general of the homosexual community. But the change would bring self worth to the feelings within my community, and give them hope for a better future. For some whom I have talked with see no reason to have a committed relationship like mine (12+ years). Others engage in risky behavior because they have to hide who they are.
In the end I see broader acceptance of the homosexual community as a small step towards containing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Gay or straight, people will cheat. They will engage in risky behavior. But in the end if acceptance of the different lifestyle will even limit the spread of HIV/AIDS by even 10 to 20%, then I think it is something that is long over due. And the savings in possible drug abuse costs and the lost productivity of human lives by suicide could even be greater.
It is time to take a look at the broader picture.
CorvusCamenarum said:
We would all like answers that are simply yes or no, black and white. But life is not as simple as that.
The problem as I and others see it is much like modern medicine. Putting aside a disease like HIV/AIDS or any of the other incurable diseases for a moment. When some is sick, the medical community can take one of two courses of action. They can treat the symptoms, but the disease can/will come back. Or it can get at the root cause of the disease, and eliminate it.
Social issues can be viewed much in the same light. You can toss money/resources at treating the symptoms, or you can take and try to go at the root cause of the issue. In the end we are too blinded by our own views to rationally look at sincere ways to get at the root cause. This is politics and religion getting in the way.
Some would use the excuse that people are not taking responsibility for their own actions. For that is the easier way out, rather than to look at the causes first hand as to why some feel that responsibility is not an option that others see. In some regards we are talking about "self-fulling prophecy's" here.
The problem as I see it, is that we have become a nation of "I've gotten mine, now you get yours". I have experienced first hand the positive effects one can have when you take away the negative stereotypes from a "bad student", and give them hope and guidance. I have seen the positive hope with my gay and straight friends when they see that my lover and I have shared 12+ years together in a committed relationship, despite our not being able to share in the legal rights of that straight couples share.
stubeeef said:
Well said, but you forgot to add that along with ignorance comes fear.
Open dialog, and action to stop the spread of ignorance and fear is the only way at this point we can stop the spread of this disease at this time. With this new strain, we need to put aside our biases, prejudices, ignorance, and fear.
Chip NoVaMac said:
I might argue that finer point, fear, I believe fear would help contain HIV/AIDS, but if you mean fear of asking about it, or fearing looking silly by asking/learning about it, then yes of course. And often out of ignorance comes enboldened lunacy, no fear.
Fear of HIV/AIDS would certainly keep me on my toes if I were not monogomous, of course there are many other ways to contract this nighmare, and seeing innocent children suffer from it makes my heart break.
If you are not going to abstain from sex outside a monogomous relationship, be very careful, like your life depended on it, cause it does!
Lacero said:
Mentioning that reminds me of a robber here in the Boston are. He robbed two stores using a syringe threatening them saying that it contained AIDS contaminated blood. Such a scary thing to do. Don't think they have caught him yet.