At a time when many people are afraid of a new variant of the coronavirus, a new HIV variant also emerged. What is known so far was published in the journalScience.
First details sound disturbing. Because: Who is infected with this variant is said to carry a four times higher viral load than someone who carries the previous HI virus. In addition, the immune system is said to be weakened more strongly, so that the probability of ultimately contracting AIDS also increases.
How can the new HIV variant be treated?
This is a question that should be on the minds not only of researchers, but of everyone. At this point, however, the all-clear can be given a little. At present, there is much to suggest that the antiretroviral therapy that has always been used up to now can also be used against the new variant. This means that the general risk to public health will not increase. Nevertheless, the virus is more easily transmissible.
The current results show that a virus does not necessarily have to become weaker over time, but can also pick up speed. Some scientists also draw parallels with the Corona pandemic at this point. Here, too, there are always people who hope or firmly believe that the virus will weaken. The mutation of the HI virus is now cited by some as an example of the fact that things can also develop in a different direction. Accordingly, it is all the more gratifying that the already proven therapies seem to work.
How could a new HI variant emerge?
This is another question that both scientists and society are concerned about. The fact that viruses change again and again over the course of time is not new. Based on the available results, scientists currently assume that the virus evolved in a person who suffered from an infection over a long period of time. However, any "intermediate steps" were probably not "missed" in the process.
And here again, some researchers draw parallels to the current pandemic. Despite vaccinations and treatment options, it is entirely possible that the virus will spontaneously change and become more aggressive again. Therefore, it would currently be wrong to feel too safe "only" because Omikron would apparently often ensure milder courses.
The virus is not quite "new
Anyone who has been involved in research around the HI virus for a bit longer knows that the new virus did not spontaneously appear a few days ago. In fact, it was already detected in samples in 2018. Most of those infected at the time were from the Netherlands. This prompted a group of researchers to examine data from about 6,700 HIV patients. The new variant was finally detected in 109 cases. However, this is probably only a fraction of all infections. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher.
How can I protect myself from HIV?
HIV can be transmitted through sex and oral sex, among other things. If you want to be on the safe side, you should only ever have protected sexual intercourse - especially outside of monogamous partnerships. In addition, the shared use of contaminated syringes, for example during drug use, can also lead to transmission.
Anyone who fears that they have been infected should not hesitate to talk to their doctor. In case of doubt, an AIDS test can provide clarity. In any case, the topic should not be ignored. After all, it would also be possible to infect others during this time.