Is there really a cure?

[tpdncr4christ]

Researchers Knock Out HIV

ScienceDaily (Oct. 21, 2007) — With the latest advances in treatment, doctors have discovered that they can successfully neutralise the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The so-called ‘combination therapy’ prevents HIV from mutating and spreading, allowing patients to rebuild their immune system to the same levels as the rest of the population.

To date, it represents the most significant treatment for patients suffering from HIV.

Professor Jens Lundgren from the University of Copenhagen, together with other members of the research group EuroSIDA, have conducted a study, which demonstrates that the immune system of all HIV-infected patients can be restored and normalised. The only stipulation is that patients begin and continue to follow their course of treatment.

HIV attacks the body’s ability to counteract viruses

Viruses are small organisms that have no independent metabolism. Consequently, when they enter the body they attack living cells and adopt their metabolism. The influenza virus occupies cells in the nose, throat and lungs; the mumps attaches itself to the salivary glands of the ear; while the Polio virus plays on the intestinal tract, blood and salivary glands. In all these instances, our immune system attacks and eliminates the invading virus.

HIV is so deadly because the virus attaches itself to a crucial part of the immune system itself: to the so-called CD4+T lymphocytes, which are white blood corpuscles that help the immune system to fight infections. The Hi-virus forms and invades new CD4+T-lymphocytes. Slowly but surely, the number of healthy CD4+T lymphocytes in the blood fall, while HIV relentlessly weakens the body’s ability to defend itself from infection. Finally, the immune system erodes to such an extent that the infected patient is diagnosed with AIDS. The Hi-virus mutates constantly as it forms and this is why, scientists face a constant battle to find a cure or a vaccine.

Combination therapy knocks out HIV

Combination therapy prevents the virus from forming and mutating in human beings. When the virus is halted in its progress, the number of healthy CD4+T cells begins to rise and patients, who would otherwise die from HIV, can now survive. The immune system is rejuvenated and is apparently able to normalise itself, providing that the combination therapy is maintained. The moment the immune system begins to improve, the HIV-infected patient can no longer be said to be suffering from an HIV infection or disease, already declining in strength.

Findings from the study are published in the medical journal The Lancet - Vol. 370, Issue 9585, 4 August 2007, Pages 407-413

http://www.sciencedaily.com/

[keltic63]

I'm so glad to see this thread is about HIV and not homosexuality!

[u-dog]

An effective treatment. A "cure" would mean that the body was as it was before infection and no further treatment was required. If this treatment is discontinued the HI virus would begin again to dismantle the immune system and the patient would be susceptible to AIDS.

[paul]

No, not a "cure" but a "therapy." Which is better than things were, but not the end all. If the therapy is discontinued, the HIV will have a comeback and will result in AIDs. Also, importantly, the virus can still be transmitted by someone even if they are experiencing the best results of therapy.

[scott snedeker]

As an intern and resident I treated so many young people (mostly young gay men) who died horribly. I saw the horror and panic in the eyes of so many who were diagnosed with hiv and could offer no hope except that some day the treatment for this disease would be effective enough to change the universally fatal prognosis.

Today's article would have been seen as a miraculous virtual cure in 1991 that would have been celebrated in the streets with parades, parties, and speeches.

[Jennifer5]

With all of you stating that it's not exactly a cure... you're really bringing me down


I read this this-morning and was so excited! I forwarded the link to everyone I know, including one person with AIDS and one with HIV.

I mean sure, it's not exactly a cure, but in time couldn't it be? If your immune system is being brought back to a normal level, then your body will fight it, continue to make itself stronger and stronger... wouldn't that mean that if it's still in the HIV stang of things that in time it could fully overcome the disease?

I'm hopeful and incredibly excited to see that there are options!



Thanks for posting this Austin!

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by keltic63

I'm so glad to see this thread is about HIV and not homosexuality!

to be clear: perhaps my earlier post needed a smiley. From the title, I was afraid Austin had found a news story about some junk science claiming a cure for homosexuality. So when I opened it and found it to be about HIV and good news, I made a quick post. Sorry if it looked like I was being critical.

[paul]

Originally Posted by keltic63

to be clear: perhaps my earlier post needed a smiley. From the title, I was afraid Austin had found a news story about some junk science claiming a cure for homosexuality. So when I opened it and found it to be about HIV and good news, I made a quick post. Sorry if it looked like I was being critical.

Nah...I got it. I feared the same thing.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by keltic63

to be clear: perhaps my earlier post needed a smiley. From the title, I was afraid Austin had found a news story about some junk science claiming a cure for homosexuality. So when I opened it and found it to be about HIV and good news, I made a quick post. Sorry if it looked like I was being critical.

Sweetie, I don't think anyone was concerned considering who had said it

[Vanessa White]

So I was relieved, and encouraged, at what it actually is referring to. Sure, not a cure, but HOPE, more hope than many have known in years, since the beginning of this devastating illness. I agree that important points are, continuing strict therapy guidelines, and that it STILL can be transmitted.

Bottom line: IT MEANS LIFE..........

However, I feel sad for all that have been lost, including my brother many years ago........

Yet joyful for all of those with a hopeful, potentially healthy future....

[BruceChris]

I am very encouraged by the above, and if we can stop something dead in it's tracks, that can be thought of as form of a Cure.

When you stop to think of it, consuming vitamin C is NOT a cure for scurvy, it's only a treatment.

Getting out of bed in the morning is not a "Cure" for total loss of bodily muscle tone, it's only a treatment. Ditto insulin and diabetes.

Every virus that has ever entered your body in your lifetime has left it's genetic material in you somewhere.

It is highly likely that the only ultimate cure for HIV will come when the last carrier of it dies, without passing it on.

This thought gives me whole new meanings and uses for words like honesty, and the respect that must go with it.

So yes, it does mean life, and hope.

P&L, BC

[Unmasked]

Let's observe the progress of this treatment, and be thankful that we've come this far. I can't wait to see what Westboro Baptist Church has to say about it.

Now that we have a light at the end of the tunnel, it is time to start getting proactive. The way I see it, it's time to put comprehensive sex education classes back into schools. During the sex-ed I took, abstinence-only education, most of us sat and doodled during the class. We'd been getting that from the pulpit since we were little. If they had taught us something new we may have listened better.

I've noticed that a good deal of Generation X slacked off in their parenting. Kids don't have the sexual ethics that they should. The media is not to blame, although they have indeed added on to it. The central problem is that parents have stopped being parents. So kids are growing up and getting physically involved, so we must at least teach them how to do things more safely. We should also try to get rid of the stigma that masturbation has. If people wanked off more they might not go cruising for sex as much.