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Here is a good map showing who is more likely to be immune to HIV

Author: July 11, 2014 0 Comments

Are  you Immune to HIV?

 

 

Where are you parents/ancestors from?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This map came from:   http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/relevance/IA2HIV2.shtml

This map shows the percentage of people from each country who are immune to HIV.   13.7% of the population have the gene for immunity to HIV in Sweden, while 5.5 % have this gene in Italy.

 

If one parent has this CCR5 allele then a person is resistant to HIV, if both parents have the CCR5 gene then the offspring is “immune” to HIV.

 

Some people would like to know if they are “immune” or partially immune to HIV.

You can get tested to find out if you are immune to HIV at  http://www.delta-32.com/

 

 

People with two copies of the CCR5 delta32 gene (inherited from both parents) are virtually immune to HIV infection. This occurs in about 1% of Caucasian people. 

One copy of CCR5-delta32 seems to give some protection against infection, and makes the disease less severe if infection occurs. This is more common, it is found in up to 20% of Caucasians. 

Should everyone be tested for this mutation? Not necessarily. It would be dangerous to assume you are completely safe from infection if you have the CCR5-delta32 mutation.

It’s not an airtight guarantee of never getting AIDS. Some unusual types of HIV can use other proteins for entering cells. Rarely, there have been people who have two mutant CCR5 genes who have died from AIDS. 

Also, CCR5 is not the whole story of immunity to HIV infection. Some resistant people have been found who have two perfectly normal copies of CCR5. So other genes also contribute to slowing down HIV infection, and scientists are busy trying to identify them.

The above is from   http://brothersgrimmandgorey.blogspot.ca/2010/12/possible-hiv-cure.html

HIV STI info

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Why would you want to know if you are immune to HIV?

Author: March 15, 2014 0 Comments

Why would you want to know if you are immune or partially immune to HIV?

Most gay men will know someone who has lots of unsafe sex but they are still negative it is likely because they are immune to HIV.   There are also lots of people who have been HIV positive for along time but are relatively healthy, these people are likely partially immune.

IF both your parents have the gene (CCR5) to make one immune to HIV then you will be immune.  IF one of your parents has the gene (CCR5) then you  will be partially immune to HIV.

 

IF YOU ARE HIV NEGATIVE – you may want to know you are immune because:

You can find out if you are immune to HIV or partially immune to HIV but getting a simple swab of your mouth.  The results will tell you if you are unlikely to become HIV + (partially immune), or if you will almost certainly will not become HIV+.  This knowledge may help you to have less anxiety about sex or some people may decide to have risker sex.

If one is partially immune then you will be a slow progresser, then the HIV virus will not have the same effect on you as someone who is not partially immune.

 

The immunity comes from not having receptors that allow the virus to enter the body.  One who is partially immune has fewer receptors so becoming infected is lessened and if one does get infected the disease will progress more slowly.

 

IF YOU ARE HIV POSITIVE – you may want to know you are immune because:

You will know if you are a slow progresser.   You may want to take less HIV medication to keep your viral load suppressed.  You may have peace of mind that you are not so likely to get sick from HIV.

A company called delta-32 will sell you the test to find out if you are immune to HIV.   Their website gives a lot of interesting information on HIV immunity.

Their website is:     http://www.delta-32.com/

HIV STI info

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