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