New Strain of HIV Virus Discovered

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor

The nation experienced somewhat of a medical panic last week, spurred by the discovery of a new and more resiliant strain of the devasting HIV virus. The main characteristic of the new strain, dubbed "Super AIDS" by many, is its high resistance to previously-effective drug treatments. Until the emergence of this recent strain of the virus, drug therapies were highly effective in supressing symptoms in those infected.

Another key characteristic of the "Super AIDS" strain, the first case of which was detected in a New York City man, is the relatively rapid rate the virus goes from the dormant state of HIV to the fatal state of full-blown AIDS. In a typical case, it takes the HIV virus about ten years for full-blown AIDS to manifest itself in the infected body. With the new strain, however, the rate is alarmingly faster. The New York City man who was first to contract the new strain was only diagnosed with HIV in December 2004, his infection determined to be recent. His case is now in full-blown AIDS status.

Initially, the New York City man's case was not enough to prompt the new strain to be labeled a "super virus," as many medical professionals theorized that the man's immune system might have already been compromised, thus making his case an anomaly. However, when a molecularly-similar case was diagnosed in a San Diego man just mere days after the New York City diagnosis, those theories were silenced. Presently, scientists are preparing for a new cycle of deadly HIV infections unlike any seen before.

It is unknown how far this new strain has spread at this point, but investigators are actively seeking out all the intimate partners of the two diagnosed men. The investigation could be quite time consuming, as it was disclosed in a private briefing that the New York City patient had sexual contact with hundreds of partners over the course of Fall 2004. Of these purported hundreds, only about a dozen have successfully been contacted.

This new "super strain" of the HIV virus is not the first to be reported. In 2001, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) revealed information about a drug-resistant strain of HIV that had claimed at least one patient in 1998. Additionally, North Korean doctors confirmed a similar (and ultimately fatal) strain of the virus as far back as 1997. What's causing alarm with the current drug-resistent strain is the increased rate at which full-blown AIDS emerges after the virus is contracted.

Medical officials worldwide have been sure to note that the current discovery of the new HIV strain should not be cause for extreme alarm. "We are still learning about it," Trinidad Minister of Health Dr. Marcus told the Nassau Guardian. "And there is still much more to learn before we can say very much about the impact it may have globally because it may be restricted to certain groups of people." For now, it is suggested that people exercise the same cautions they have been taught for years.



For more information on HIV/AIDS or to find out how to get tested, call 1-800-649-AIDS.