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-   -   Researchers Cure AIDS... not a joke. (https://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=173058)

jAZ 10-23-2007 06:19 PM
Researchers Cure AIDS... not a joke.
 
If I understand this correctly, they've basically cured AIDS by allowing HIV positive people to have full immune systems.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1020103343.htm

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

Adapted from materials provided by University Of Copenhagen.

Rain Man 10-23-2007 06:22 PM
Time to buy some more stock in third world prostitutes.

Simplex3 10-23-2007 06:22 PM
Kick ass. Now Kotter is free to experiment with his latent homosexual tendencies.

Rain Man 10-23-2007 06:24 PM
Actually, the more I read this, the more it sounds like just an effective treatment rather than a cure. I knew I shouldn't have doubled my holdings of Botswana Babes For You.

Simplex3 10-23-2007 06:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rain Man
Actually, the more I read this, the more it sounds like just an effective treatment rather than a cure. I knew I shouldn't have doubled my holdings of Botswana Babes For You.
It's an HIV treatment, an AIDS cure.

JBucc 10-23-2007 06:26 PM
Awesome! Now Magic Johnson can play again!

FAX 10-23-2007 06:28 PM
Great news!! Pass the needle!!

FAX

Skip Towne 10-23-2007 06:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JBucc
Awesome! Now Magic Johnson can play again!
Tommy Morrison too!

jAZ 10-23-2007 06:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simplex3
It's an HIV treatment, an AIDS cure.
That's right. Back on board the Botswana Bandwagon Rainman!

FAX 10-23-2007 06:29 PM
Actually, if true, this could be a very important step forward in the treatment of any number of auto-immune disorders.

FAX

bishop_74 10-23-2007 06:31 PM
Not really a cure since you can't cure viruses. I would agree it is a treatment.

Simplex3 10-23-2007 06:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Actually, if true, this could be a very important step forward in the treatment of any number of auto-immune disorders.

FAX
This sounds pretty specific. Basically it arrests the spread of HIV, then the body patches up the immune system by itself. Doesn't sound like that will apply widely. But I'm no doctor and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night either.


:shrug:

Hoover 10-23-2007 06:33 PM
Can it help the Oline run block? No
Can it help the Oline pass block? No
Will it turn Haurd into Farve? No
Will it help turn LJ into a dominate RB? No

effin drug companies...

JohninGpt 10-23-2007 06:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Actually, if true, this could be a very important step forward in the treatment of any number of auto-immune disorders.

FAX
Maybe a step. My disease is treated by suppressing my immune system with steroids. Making it "full strength" would kill me.
Well, first it would make me dumber than hell, then it would kill me.
Well, dumber than I already am, then...

Simplex3 10-23-2007 06:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoover
Can it help the Oline run block? No
Can it help the Oline pass block? No
Will it turn Haurd into Farve? No
Will it help turn LJ into a dominate RB? No

effin drug companies...
They already have those drugs. The problem is they're against the rules.

jAZ 10-23-2007 06:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bishop_74
Not really a cure since you can't cure viruses. I would agree it is a treatment.
HIV is the virus. It's not a cure for HIV. It's a cure for the condition of AIDS, which used to be a certain outcome of contracting HIV.

pr_capone 10-23-2007 06:46 PM
20 years too late for my brother. :(

LOCOChief 10-23-2007 06:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Actually, if true, this could be a very important step forward in the treatment of any number of auto-immune disorders.

FAX
MS? :hmmm:

alnorth 10-23-2007 06:55 PM
So... are you saying that the old Chris Rock joke is actually going to come true?

cdcox 10-23-2007 06:55 PM
The journal article came out 2-1/2 months ago. If this was as big a deal as presented in the science daily link, it would have gotten more play in the popular press. It could play out to be worthwhile, but I think it's too early to declare victory.

FAX 10-23-2007 07:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LOCOChief
MS? :hmmm:
That's one, Mr. LOCOChief. There are quite a number of them.

Obviously, because this subject has little to do with the potentially harmful environmental impact of free range chicken poop, it's an area in which I have little or no knowledge. However, a lot of researchers specializing in auto-immune disorders believe that they are caused by the effect certain micro-organisms have on the white blood cells. Basically, the immune system is "tricked" into believing that "good" cells are "bad" and the immune system goes haywire and starts running around killing off the "good" stuff.

If, in fact, they are able to isolate HIV as or before it affects the white blood cells, it sounds as though this approach could hold some promise by also isolating the other micro-organisms which, in the case of auto-immune, are confusing the immune system. It's a thought, anyhow.

FAX

Easy 6 10-23-2007 07:05 PM
Good, now they need to get started on that bastard cancer.

JohninGpt 10-23-2007 07:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
However, a lot of researchers specializing in auto-immune disorders believe that they are caused by the effect certain micro-organisms have on the white blood cells. Basically, the immune system is "tricked" into believing that "good" cells are "bad" and the immune system goes haywire and starts running around killing off the "good" stuff.
Pretty close. The disease I have, chronic lymphocitic thyroiditis, aka Hashimoto's encephalopathy, is caused by my thyroid malfunctioning and causing my immune system to attack my brain. It damn near did me in about 1 1/2 years ago. It's a rare desease so it took a while for it to be diagnosed, meanwhile I was a babbling idiot in the hospital attacking everything that moved (did I mention it made me a tad aggressive?), once the figured out what the problem was I got steroid therapy which suppressed my immune system and allows me to function pretty much normally. I do have occasional relapses and I'm very succeptable to colds, rashes, and pretty much anything else.
I think MS is treated in pretty much the same manner. When I have a relapse I usually get steroid infusions alongside MS patients getting the same thing (solumedrol).

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Great news!! Pass the needle!!

FAX
not funny. especially if you've known someone die like that.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by alnorth
So... are you saying that the old Chris Rock joke is actually going to come true?
It will be, if they create a vaccine. Is this the logical path of this 'cure'?

I also hear the immortal words of Dennis Miller: "Imagine the day they cure AIDS. If you can't get laid on that day, give it up."

GoChiefs, pay attention.

pr_capone 10-23-2007 07:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
not funny. especially if you've known someone die like that.
By AIDS or by sticking themselves with needles?

FAX 10-23-2007 07:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohninGpt
Pretty close. The disease I have, chronic lymphocitic thyroiditis, aka Hashimoto's encephalopathy, is caused by my thyroid malfunctioning and causing my immune system to attack my brain. It damn near did me in about 1 1/2 years ago. It's a rare desease so it took a while for it to be diagnosed, meanwhile I was a babbling idiot in the hospital attacking everything that moved (did I mention it made me a tad aggressive?), once the figured out what the problem was I got steroid therapy which suppressed my immune system and allows me to function pretty much normally. I do have occasional relapses and I'm very succeptable to colds, rashes, and pretty much anything else.
I think MS is treated in pretty much the same manner. When I have a relapse I usually get steroid infusions alongside MS patients getting the same thing (solumedrol).
Man, oh man. I'm very sorry to hear about this, Mr. JohninGpt. Very sorry, indeed.

The treatment makes sense given what they know about auto-immune, though. They're shutting down the immune system which is reacting incorrectly to some influence. It would be wonderful if they could turn that around, identify the cause that is affecting the immune system, and address that instead. There's always hope, though, and advances like this might open the door to a true cure.

Meanwhile, here's to your health, my friend.

FAX

StcChief 10-23-2007 07:22 PM
ok now that we have been diverted for 20+ years.
can we get back to Cancer, MS, autism, etc.

FAX 10-23-2007 07:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
not funny. especially if you've known someone die like that.
Sometimes, I post without thinking first. I need to work on that.

But honestly, Mr. QuikSsurfer, I have mixed feelings about a person who uses a dirty needle.

FAX

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pr_capone
By AIDS or by sticking themselves with needles?
both.

JohninGpt 10-23-2007 07:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Man, oh man. I'm very sorry to hear about this, Mr. JohninGpt. Very sorry, indeed.

The treatment makes sense given what they know about auto-immune, though. They're shutting down the immune system which is reacting incorrectly to some influence. It would be wonderful if they could turn that around, identify the cause that is affecting the immune system, and address that instead. There's always hope, though, and advances like this might open the door to a true cure.

Meanwhile, here's to your health, my friend.

FAX
Thanks, but, like I said, I'm doing pretty good. I just wish I could could get off the damn steroids, these things are porkin me out.

Bob Dole 10-23-2007 07:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jAZ
HIV is the virus. It's not a cure for HIV. It's a cure for the condition of AIDS, which used to be a certain outcome of contracting HIV.
Which has been curable for quite awhile now. Bob Dole isn't understanding how this is groundbreaking.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
not funny. especially if you've known someone die like that.
I have had a family member die from AIDS caused by being a heroin junkie.

I had (and have) very little sympathy for him. HIV isn't exactly a highly contagious virus. You have to seek it out through stupid and risky behavior, barring transfusions and the like.

chagrin 10-23-2007 07:26 PM
Don't you think you should change the title of this thread dude, you know, to keep your credibility? shakes head...

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Sometimes, I post without thinking first. I need to work on that.

But honestly, Mr. QuikSsurfer, I have mixed feelings about a person who uses a dirty needle.

FAX
same here and I tend to post like that too.
wasn't trying to come down on you specifically. like u, just posted it after i read it. :hmmm:

JohninGpt 10-23-2007 07:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Dole
Which has been curable for quite awhile now. Bob Dole isn't understanding how this is groundbreaking.
Curable, or avoidable? I ask because I'm clueless, can they stop it once you have it or just keep it at bay?

Adept Havelock 10-23-2007 07:31 PM
Good news. Glad to hear progress is being made. Shame it's too late for my friend.

Quote:
Originally Posted by StcChief
ok now that we have been diverted for 20+ years.
can we get back to Cancer, MS, autism, etc.
:rolleyes:

Perhaps you noticed we didn't stop research on any of those while researching AIDS?

You've made it clear you don't give a rip about people dying from AIDS/HIV. Or at least that you don't think it's worth investing our medical research in seeking a cure. I have my suspicions why, but I'll leave that alone.

Perhaps an innocent child who received a bad blood transfusion will have a shot at a full life because of this.

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
I have had a family member die from AIDS caused by being a heroin junkie.
A girl that I dated from high school through sophomore year in college got it for trying it the first time. About a year later when she had meet someone else, POS didn't give her a clean needle.

pr_capone 10-23-2007 07:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
both.
My brother died of AIDS 20 years ago after getting a blood transfusion. He needed one when his GF at the time stabbed him 38 times in his sleep. Well... I am sure only the first few were in his sleep but that is beside the point.

They did not test the blood back then as well as now and he got AIDS.

He was 6'1 and ripped beyond belief. He weighed 210 and was solid muscle.... when he died he weighed less than 90.

Never stuck needles in his arm... or anywhere else for that matter. People that do get little to no sympathy from me though.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:34 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
A girl that I dated from high school through sophomore year in college got it for trying it the first time. About a year later when she had meet someone else, POS didn't give her a clean needle.
Sorry, no sympathy from me.

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pr_capone
My brother died of AIDS 20 years ago after getting a blood transfusion. He needed one when his GF at the time stabbed him 38 times in his sleep. Well... I am sure only the first few were in his sleep but that is beside the point.

They did not test the blood back then as well as now and he got AIDS.

He was 6'1 and ripped beyond belief. He weighed 210 and was solid muscle.... when he died he weighed less than 90.

Never stuck needles in his arm... or anywhere else for that matter.
They really didn't test the blood before? How old was he when he died?
that's very, very sad.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pr_capone
My brother died of AIDS 20 years ago after getting a blood transfusion. He needed one when his GF at the time stabbed him 38 times in his sleep. Well... I am sure only the first few were in his sleep but that is beside the point.

They did not test the blood back then as well as now and he got AIDS.

He was 6'1 and ripped beyond belief. He weighed 210 and was solid muscle.... when he died he weighed less than 90.

Never stuck needles in his arm... or anywhere else for that matter.
That's horrible. I'm sorry that you lost your brother.

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Sorry, no sympathy from me.
I wasn't crying for it.

pr_capone 10-23-2007 07:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
They really didn't test the blood before? How old was he when he died?
that's very, very sad.
I don't remember exactly.... he was in his early 20's. 24 I think.

20 years ago they did not check for HIV / AIDS. And if they did, it surely was not as accurate as it is now.

Bob Dole 10-23-2007 07:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohninGpt
Curable, or avoidable? I ask because I'm clueless, can they stop it once you have it or just keep it at bay?
They've had combination drug treatments that render the HIV viral load undetectable for years. Which in turn allows the immune system to "recover" to normal levels, thus "curing" AIDS.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
I wasn't crying for it.
Good.

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Good.
:rolleyes:

JohninGpt 10-23-2007 07:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pr_capone
My brother died of AIDS 20 years ago after getting a blood transfusion. He needed one when his GF at the time stabbed him 38 times in his sleep. Well... I am sure only the first few were in his sleep but that is beside the point.

They did not test the blood back then as well as now and he got AIDS.

He was 6'1 and ripped beyond belief. He weighed 210 and was solid muscle.... when he died he weighed less than 90.

Never stuck needles in his arm... or anywhere else for that matter. People that do get little to no sympathy from me though.
Holy cow, that's horrible, all of it.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
:rolleyes:
That was pretty much my reaction in the late 1980s, when everyone was calling AIDS 'an epidemic.'

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 07:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
That was pretty much my reaction in the late 1980s, when everyone was calling AIDS 'an epidemic.'
I can't roll my eyes to a disease that has led to millions of deaths.

Donger 10-23-2007 07:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
I can't roll my eyes to a disease that has led to millions of deaths.
Well, I can. At least those who rolled the dice, and lost. I feel all the sympathy in the world for those who contracted the virus through no fault of their own, however.

KCChiefsMan 10-23-2007 07:49 PM
will it be so expensive that most can't afford it?

pr_capone 10-23-2007 07:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan
will it be so expensive that most can't afford it?

Of course! When it comes to medicine, over charging is the American Way!

Simply Red 10-23-2007 08:05 PM
Print em`

FAX 10-23-2007 08:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Dole
They've had combination drug treatments that render the HIV viral load undetectable for years. Which in turn allows the immune system to "recover" to normal levels, thus "curing" AIDS.
I thought the current drug therapy basically either, a) introduces screwed up DNA so the virus can't perform, b) attempts to prevent the virus from attaching to a host cell, or c) alters the building blocks used by the virus to replicate, Mr. Bob Dole. At least, I think that's right. I do know that the current drugs come pre-packaged with some bad-ass side effects. It's the ability of the virus to mutate that's been one of the biggest problems as I understand it.

If they can actually prevent the virus from mutating, give the immune system time to rebuild, and "teach" the immune system to attack the virus as an invader, that's a huge step forward.

FAX

mcan 10-23-2007 08:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Well, I can. At least those who rolled the dice, and lost. I feel all the sympathy in the world for those who contracted the virus through no fault of their own, however.

People get AIDS from more than just heroin needles bro. It's a sexually transmitted disease. If you're going to not have sympathy for people who have sex, then you're living on a cold and lonely island indeed.

And how the hell is getting AIDS a just desert for people even if they DID do drugs?!! Let me ask you this: Would you rather have AIDS or get your dick bitten off by a polar bear? Easy to say AIDS, until the day comes when you're given the choice. You'll find me a unich pretty damned quick if my alternative is death. Now, I'm sure that even YOU would say that meeting the business end of a BEAR is cruel and unusual punishment... That nobody deserves that except the HITLERS and DAHMERS and CHILD RAPISTS. So how come some teenage dropout who gets hooked on drugs deserves worse than that?

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 08:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Well, I can. At least those who rolled the dice, and lost. I feel all the sympathy in the world for those who contracted the virus through no fault of their own, however.
rolled the dice? there are a number of ways to contract

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdcox
The journal article came out 2-1/2 months ago. If this was as big a deal as presented in the science daily link, it would have gotten more play in the popular press. It could play out to be worthwhile, but I think it's too early to declare victory.
the problem is that this isn't the first 'cure' for AIDS. this is about the fourth or fifth 'cure' to AIDS that I can recall from the last ten years or so that I've been actively interested (and subsequently going to school for) public health/epidemiology, with a strong dose of genetics, chemistry, and virology) in viruses and bacteria.

the issue is that, as the article alluded to, AIDS is one agile little bug. every time they believe they have it cornered, it mutates. that's the beauty of genetics and 'natural selection,' really. we humans are lucky if we get a new generational flush every twenty years (from birth to having our own kids), yet there are certain viruses that reproduce and go from generation to generation in literally 20 minutes. in that twenty minutes, the viruses and bacteria that aren't successful are weeded out, and the ones that can resist treatment and otherwise succeed go on (after a fashion).

is this an aids cure? I hope so. there's literally only one virus on planet earth that I can think of that we have effectively 'cured.' smallpox. that's it. otherwise, bupkis. and the problem isn't getting any easier, as we throw 'antibiotics' at viruses all the time (got a cold? take this antibiotic!). which obviously is a huge issue, as VIRUSES ARE NOT BACTERIA. ANTIBIOTICS ONLY TREAT BACTERIA!... so now we have strains of drug resistant staph, strep, even TB. (anyway, I digress).

the point is, this is good news, hopefully. otherwise, the hidden war with our environment goes on. we've come a long way in regards to modern medicine, but we have a long way to go in the treatment of viruses and bacteria in human populations.

StcChief 10-23-2007 08:40 PM
for the most part (exceptions noted pr_capone) tainted blood... AIDS is a self induced disease. Sex/needles.
and was the wacked out African that F'ed the monkey to start it.....

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by scott free
Good, now they need to get started on that bastard cancer.
eh, they can already treat certain kinds of cancer. however, the thing that makes us unique (our bodies are wonderful machines with complexity that none of us can truly even fathom) are part of what does us in. cancer is caused by rogue cells. the older we get, generally, the more our cells have gone through mitosis, therefore more open to genetic mutations piling up. we'll likely never truly cure cancer, just hopefully find more treatment options (that don't make patients wish they were dead--chemo and radiation were horrible when my grandpa had lung cancer) and find better ways to treat and diagnose it earlier.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by StcChief
ok now that we have been diverted for 20+ years.
can we get back to Cancer, MS, autism, etc.
all very worthy causes, all being researched and funded out the wazoo. unfortunately, there's never enough research dollars to go around.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
They really didn't test the blood before? How old was he when he died?
that's very, very sad.
go watch 'and the band played on'

good look at AIDS in the late 80's to early 90's from a social standpoint.

ChiefaRoo 10-23-2007 08:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Actually, if true, this could be a very important step forward in the treatment of any number of auto-immune disorders.

FAX
and viral illnesses as well. Good news. Medicine is going to make tremendous advances in the next two decades and beyond.

QuikSsurfer 10-23-2007 08:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by H5N1
go watch 'and the band played on'

good look at AIDS in the late 80's to early 90's from a social standpoint.
:hmmm:
i'll check it out

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Dole
They've had combination drug treatments that render the HIV viral load undetectable for years. Which in turn allows the immune system to "recover" to normal levels, thus "curing" AIDS.
yep. interestingly enough, I read an article somewhere (can't recall--it might have been discover or science journal) that mentioned a group of young to middle aged men who are HIV+ and have been for more than their allotted time (traditionally, if you have HIV for more than seven to ten years, you develop AIDS and die). they traced their genetics back via mitochondrial RNA (passed on from mother to son) all the way back to dark-age europe (~1300 CE). what do they have in common? they're all descendents of people who survived (bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic) plague.

fascinating stuff.

FAX 10-23-2007 08:52 PM
Not to appear argumentative or completely ignorant, Mr. H5N1, but isn't almost everyone of European descent from a line that survived the plague?

FAX

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
That was pretty much my reaction in the late 1980s, when everyone was calling AIDS 'an epidemic.'
crap, I was still playing with GI joes in the late 80's. racking up a 250 dollar phone bill calling the he-man 800 number (sorry mom and dad!)

however, one would be hard pressed not to call AIDS an epidemic. it doesn't meet the classical definition (like hemorrhagic fevers do), but it comes pretty damned close for being so unconventional
Quote:
Originally Posted by dictionary.com
ep·i·dem·ic /ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ep-i-dem-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. Also, ep·i·dem·i·cal. (of a disease) affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 08:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Not to appear argumentative or completely ignorant, Mr. H5N1, but isn't almost everyone of European descent from a line that survived the plague?

FAX
not as much as you'd expect. not everyone in europe got plague in the first place, and the men who are 'surviving' AIDS are all descended from a certain area (recall, travel wasn't as fast and groups got more isolated in plague-europe)

StcChief 10-23-2007 08:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Not to appear argumentative or completely ignorant, Mr. H5N1, but isn't almost everyone of European descent from a line that survived the plague?

FAX
AIDS infected of European decent survive because of the plague :hmmm:

Donger 10-23-2007 08:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcan
People get AIDS from more than just heroin needles bro. It's a sexually transmitted disease. If you're going to not have sympathy for people who have sex, then you're living on a cold and lonely island indeed.

And how the hell is getting AIDS a just desert for people even if they DID do drugs?!! Let me ask you this: Would you rather have AIDS or get your dick bitten off by a polar bear? Easy to say AIDS, until the day comes when you're given the choice. You'll find me a unich pretty damned quick if my alternative is death. Now, I'm sure that even YOU would say that meeting the business end of a BEAR is cruel and unusual punishment... That nobody deserves that except the HITLERS and DAHMERS and CHILD RAPISTS. So how come some teenage dropout who gets hooked on drugs deserves worse than that?
Yes, thank you. I'm intimately familiar with the causes. Risk versus reward. Other than being born with it or contracting the virus through a transfusion, you have to seek it out.

Donger 10-23-2007 08:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer
rolled the dice? there are a number of ways to contract
Yes, there are. But, for example, if you engaged in 'non-safe' sex, you were rolling the dice. If you shot up junk with a needle you didn't know, you rolled the dice.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 09:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by StcChief
AIDS infected of European decent survive because of the plague :hmmm:
I can't recall what they believe the exact reason for survival is (if they had the body all figured out, cancer and viruses would have no effect on us), but they believe it may be a frame-shift mutation on part of the mitochondrial RNA, which slightly changes the shape of some nameless protein that halts virus synthesis once AIDS reaches a certain point within the body. (I could be wrong, it's been a while since I read the article)

FAX 10-23-2007 09:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by H5N1
not as much as you'd expect. not everyone in europe got plague in the first place, and the men who are 'surviving' AIDS are all descended from a certain area (recall, travel wasn't as fast and groups got more isolated in plague-europe)
That makes sense, I suppose, Mr. H5N1. I probably have it wrong ... just recalled reading that, in certain portions of Europe, the plague was estimated to have eliminated up to 70% of the population. Probably a mistake on my part.

FAX

Donger 10-23-2007 09:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by H5N1
crap, I was still playing with GI joes in the late 80's. racking up a 250 dollar phone bill calling the he-man 800 number (sorry mom and dad!)

however, one would be hard pressed not to call AIDS an epidemic. it doesn't meet the classical definition (like hemorrhagic fevers do), but it comes pretty damned close for being so unconventional
Yes, I know the definitions. However, AIDS is now classified as a pandemic, unless I'm mistaken. The third criteria is something like, "Spreads easily and sustainably between humans." That's highly subjective. HIV apparently spreads easily and sustainably between humans when they act with blatant stupidity and disregard for their own health, so do a lot of other things.

Part of me has always felt that the definitions of 'epidemic' and 'pandemic' should include a disclaimer: "Oh, and has to be relatively easy to catch." Last I checked, no one ever got AIDS by going to the movie theater and getting coughed upon.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 09:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Yes, there are. But, for example, if you engaged in 'non-safe' sex, you were rolling the dice. If you shot up junk with a needle you didn't know, you rolled the dice.
I totally agree with you. we, as Homo sapiens tend to be risk seekers.

however, one of the fatal flaws of human beings is that we're incredible stupid, and not perfect. regardless of how one contracts AIDS, it's a tragedy (no human life should end that way). a cure would be wonderful, and perhaps lead the sinners to the zen-like state that you're obviously in, correct?

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 09:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
That makes sense, I suppose, Mr. H5N1. I probably have it wrong ... just recalled reading that, in certain portions of Europe, the plague was estimated to have eliminated up to 70% of the population. Probably a mistake on my part.

FAX
you're correct. overall, though (and this is highly subjective, as no hard census was taken prior to and after the last onset of plague), plague killed between 25% and 30% of the population of europe. obviously, certain areas were hit harder than others, but it took a devastating toll on europe.

remember, the mutation that has 'potentially' 'helped' these modern survivors of aids was a localized event. our bodies are constantly mutating, however most of the mutations are deleted and caught by our bodies. somehow, one or two slipped through the cracks in some local area in the 1300's and, 700 years down the road, it's become important.

Donger 10-23-2007 09:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by H5N1
I totally agree with you. we, as Homo sapiens tend to be risk seekers.

however, one of the fatal flaws of human beings is that we're incredible stupid, and not perfect. regardless of how one contracts AIDS, it's a tragedy (no human life should end that way). a cure would be wonderful, and perhaps lead the sinners to the zen-like state that you're obviously in, correct?
Nature's a bitch. I learned that at an early age and I've yet to see any explanation that is quite as succinct. Is it a tragedy that some junkie gets AIDS and dies? No, not in my opinion. It's a natural progression.

Ebolapox 10-23-2007 09:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Yes, I know the definitions. However, AIDS is now classified as a pandemic, unless I'm mistaken. The third criteria is something like, "Spreads easily and sustainably between humans." That's highly subjective. HIV apparently spreads easily and sustainably between humans when they act with blatant stupidity and disregard for their own health, so do a lot of other things.

Part of me has always felt that the definitions of 'epidemic' and 'pandemic' should include a disclaimer: "Oh, and has to be relatively easy to catch." Last I checked, no one ever got AIDS by going to the movie theater and getting coughed upon.
yes, you're correct. AIDS is a pandemic (although the definitions of epidemic and pandemic are rudimentary to say the least).

as I said in my last post, we as human beings have an amazing knack for stupidity. we're both the most intelligent species on earth and the dumbest species on earth.

it's interesting you mention 'easy to catch' in regards to HIV/AIDS, I read somewhere that in the middle of the 90's, there was a moment when scientists believed that HIV had mutated beyond being simply an STD (which it still primarily is, ignoring transfusions and dirty needles), into an airborne pathogen (in other words, a virus that can spread via aerosol--via sneeze, like flu or the common cold). scary thought.

Donger 10-23-2007 09:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by H5N1
it's interesting you mention 'easy to catch' in regards to HIV/AIDS, I read somewhere that in the middle of the 90's, there was a moment when scientists believed that HIV had mutated beyond being simply an STD (which it still primarily is, ignoring transfusions and dirty needles), into an airborne pathogen (in other words, a virus that can spread via aerosol--via sneeze, like flu or the common cold). scary thought.
Yes, and it hasn't. If it did mutate and aerosolize, it would be a completely different animal. Since it has not, I do not think it qualifies as either an epidemic or pandemic. Hence, my statement.

Halfcan 10-23-2007 09:17 PM
One of my best friends died of Aids-it is a horrible way to go.

Thank God for a cure.


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