Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: The Scientist on 04/07/2010 12:16:59

Title: Why is AIDS invariably fatal?
Post by: The Scientist on 04/07/2010 12:16:59
Please explain your answers. Thanks all!

P.S. I know that AIDS is an incurable disease. But why is that so?
Title: Re: Why is AIDS invariably fatal?
Post by: SeanB on 04/07/2010 14:34:38
Aids per se does not kill you, it just debilitates you to the point where some other opportunistic organism like TB or influenza can. With proper treatment you can live long enough that something like heart failure or cancer has the privilege to do the job.

Title: Re: Why is AIDS invariably fatal?
Post by: doppler1 on 05/07/2010 14:38:29
Exactly SeanB, the fact is that life is fatal and without fail ends in death for all contestants. There is evidence that some people are immune to the virus and there are studies being conducted on some of these people..or at least I recall hearing sometyhing to that effect. But everyone dies in the end.
Title: Re: Why is AIDS invariably fatal?
Post by: Shanidar on 09/07/2010 02:54:23
As I understand it, sue to the nature of AIDS, the virus (HIV) keep changing so the body cannot defend against it.  This exhausts the immune system and leaves you open to any other infections that are about, and when you catch one it hits you much harder than an HIV- person.  Then, as the other 2 replies have said, you die from whatever it is you last caught.  Pneumonia and skin infections are common killers of those who are HIV+.  Resistant bacteria are a big problem to the HIV+ too, as they are more susceptible.
Title: Re: Why is AIDS invariably fatal?
Post by: The Scientist on 09/07/2010 09:37:00
As I understand it, sue to the nature of AIDS, the virus (HIV) keep changing so the body cannot defend against it.  This exhausts the immune system and leaves you open to any other infections that are about, and when you catch one it hits you much harder than an HIV- person. 

Well, can you explain in further detail why does the HIV change? And when you say change, do you mean physically or chemically? Thank you