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Originally Posted by FAX
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
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1) HIV only has RNA, not DNA
2) The newest drugs are considered either fusion inhibitors (which prevent the drug from fusing with the lymphocyte once it has attached), or attachment inhibitors, which prevent the virus from locking on to specific receptors on your T-Cells.
3) You're right about the viral mutations. HIV is a very quirky virus in that it makes a ton of errors in its replication process. This also causes a big problem with treatment, but you can't really prevent the virus from mutating unless your entire patient base is completely compliant with their regimen, infects no one else, and doesn't exchange viral strains with other infected parties.
4) Genetics play a huge factor in how well you can manage the disease. A portion of the European population has a mutation in the CCR5 Delta 32 receptor that actually makes it substantially more difficult for them to get HIV, and, if they have two such mutations, can be completely immune to infection.
5) AIDS drugs have horrid side effects--liver toxicity, chronic diarrhea, fever, constant nausea, are among a few.