Are people Immune to HIV?
You may be wondering if there are people immune to the HIV, this question has been asked for some years without an answer. Here at the end of this post, you will find the answer you've been looking for..
Here are some useful tips about HIV:-
How the Virus attacks
uses one of the main type of immune cells - CD4 cells - to reproduce. The immune response to infection is to produce more CD4 cells, which the virus uses to reproduce even more etc. The immune system initially controls the virus. However, without treatment, usually over many years, the virus slowly wears down the number of CD4 cells. This leaves someone vulnerable to a wide range of serious infections.
How the virus affect the Human Immune System
Your immune system has different kinds of cells that work together to fight infections. CD4 T-cells are one kind of immune cell. They are like little "factories" that make things that your body needs to fight germs and infections. These cells are found in your blood, lymph nodes, and other places in your body.
After HIV enters the body, it uses the CD4 T-cells to make more copies of itself. When this happens, the CD4 T-cells that have been taken over by HIV no longer help your body fight infections, and instead produce more HIV.
At first, the body is able to make enough CD4 T-cells to keep up with those lost due to HIV. Over time, as the virus copies itself over and over, there are fewer and fewer CD4 T-cells. Eventually, your immune system is weakened and your body is less able to fight germs.
CD4 cells,these cells locate and coordinate the destruction of infection. When cd4 numbers drop it is easier for infection to enter the body undetected. Healthy people have between 500-1500 and people with untreated HIV tend to have below 500.
Can a person be immune to HIV?
There are a very few people who have been exposed to the HIV virus who have NOT contracted it. Doctors are still trying to find out why this happens. If an HIV positive person continues to have unprotected sex with other HIV positive people there is a chance they will contract a more virulent strain. There is no way to build up an immunity by keeping on having sex. I agree completely that there is no known way to build up a resistance to HIV (which is why there is no vaccine of course), but I wouldn't go as far as to say very few people who have been exposed are not infected. Actually, as a primarily blood borne pathogen (although there are other routes of infection) it's quite possible that multiple exposures can occur before one connects and infection happens. The virus, particularly outside the body, is quite fragile, and the infection is the rarity; not the "miss". Note again -- this is not the result of a "resistance" being built up -- it's just math. Also, people with HIV can, if they are assiduous in prophylaxis, maintain a reasonably normal life, including sexual activity.
There is evidence that some people of northern European descent have a certain genetic characteristic making them (apparently) immune to HIV, or at least to the HIV mutations as they currently exist. I'm a little uncomfortable contributing this in the fear that some may make unreasonable assumptions and take unnecessary risks. This genetic characteristic is rare, and I certainly wouldn't want to bet the farm on a flimsy hope and end up with a condition that I can't undo.
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