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Viral
Strains - Refers to
different subtypes of HIVvirus.
Think of it this way: Just like American Indians are a race. Within
that race there are many different tribes. HIV has many different
tribes. When you became infected with HIV, you were infected with many
different sub-species of virus. As the virus replicates and makes
copies of itself within your body, it is developing new “tribes”
of HIV that are uniquely yours.
Mutation - Is a change or defect in the virus’s
genetic code. As HIV replicates and makes more “tribes”, it also
makes mistakes along the way, these mistakes are called
“mutations”. Some mutations develop naturally, while others
develop when you miss doses of your HIV medications.
Resistant Strains - are strains of HIV that have
developed specific mutations to antiretroviral medications. When
certain mutations in the genetic code of HIV develop, it is a likely
clue that you have developed resistance to one or more of your HIV
medications. HIV is very sneaky, and tries to do whatever it can in
order to make more of itself. This includes findings ways to get
around the medications.
Through the use of a
“Genotype Test”, it is possible to see if there are resistant
strains of HIV among your “Tribes”.
Wild Type Virus - At any given time, among all
the “tribes” or strains of HIV in your body, there is usually
one strain that is more predominant. If you have never been
on meds, or have been off of them for a while, the predominant
strain most likely detected would be “Wild Type Virus”. Wild
Type refers to virus that has not changed or mutated in response
to antiretroviral therapy. On the other hand, if you are on
medications and have resistance patterns, the predominant strain
would probably show some mutations related to the medications
you are taking. Once a resistant strain has developed, it does
not go away. It just sort of hides out for a while. That is
why we have not been very successful in “recycling” medications
for people with resistant strains.
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