finding out if you are immune to HIV infection?

[lenny2]

"4. You can find out if you are one of very few people who is almost completely immune to HIV."

"An extremely small percentage of people (fewer than 1 per cent) are almost completely immune to HIV. There are companies that offer genetic testing to see if you have the particular genetic mutation that may make you immune, but the practice is controversial. In November, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited a California company, 23andMe Inc., from marketing its at-home DNA testing device because of concerns over “the public health consequences of inaccurate results.” In Canada, you can order a testing kit from Delta-32 in downtown Toronto for $199."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...uld-know-about-hiv-in-canada/article21841352/

 

[Aardvark154]

"4. You can find out if you are one of very few people who is almost completely immune to HIV."

"An extremely small percentage of people (fewer than 1 per cent) are almost completely immune to HIV. . . the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited a California company, 23andMe Inc., from marketing its at-home DNA testing device because of concerns over “the public health consequences of inaccurate results.”

The above puts me in mind of this famous scene.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

I wonder if there's a certain race or ethnic group thats more immune to HIV

 

[lenny2]

The above puts me in mind of this famous scene.

I wonder what would be more effective re HIV: a condom or almost completely immune.

Does your comment apply equally either way?

 

[lenny2]

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/uol-bdw031005.php

 

[Aardvark154]

I wonder what would be more effective re HIV: a condom or almost completely immune.

Does your comment apply equally either way?

It applies to dangerous risk taking. Do you know without doubt that the person you are having sex with is HIV positive. Do you feel that the condom will work without fail, do you feel that your genetic immunity will protect you without fail.

 

[Aardvark154]

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/uol-bdw031005.php

Interesting that perhaps the Black Death was in fact a haemorrhagic fever rather than bubonic plague.

However, this does nothing for the fact that at least here in North America, the vast majority of those initially afflicted in the late 1970's early 1980's in San Francisco with what was then termed GRID were Caucasian Men.

I'd have to look up statistics, but I rather suspect that the disease at that point was more than 90 percent lethal.

 

[GPIDEAL]

The above puts me in mind of this famous scene.

I had to buy the DVD. Only in America.

 

[lenny2]

It applies to dangerous risk taking. Do you know without doubt that the person you are having sex with is HIV positive. Do you feel that the condom will work without fail, do you feel that your genetic immunity will protect you without fail.

What's "without fail" in life? Death & taxes?

How do you quantify "dangerous risk taking"?

If everyone didn't have sex unless they knew "without doubt" their partner was HIV negative, the human race would soon become almost extinct.

 

[lenny2]

Interesting that perhaps the Black Death was in fact a haemorrhagic fever rather than bubonic plague.

However, this does nothing for the fact that at least here in North America, the vast majority of those initially afflicted in the late 1970's early 1980's in San Francisco with what was then termed GRID were Caucasian Men.

I'd have to look up statistics, but I rather suspect that the disease at that point was more than 90 percent lethal.

"In 2015, African Americans accounted for 45% of HIV diagnoses, though they comprise 12% of the US population.b"

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/racialethnic/africanamericans/

"When it comes to race, 23,042 of those diagnosed in the U.S. in 2011 were black, 13,817 were white, and 10,135 were Latino. Infection rates in the U.S. of black men and women have risen to eight times that of whites based on population size."

http://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/facts-statistics-infographic

"White Americans are the racial majority. African Americans are the largest racial minority, amounting to 13.2% of the population. Hispanic and Latino Americans amount to 17% of the population, making up the largest ethnic minority. The White, non-Hispanic or Latino population make up 62.6% of the nation's total, with the total White population (including White Hispanics and Latinos) being 77%.[7]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States

 

[IM469]

"An extremely small percentage of people (fewer than 1 per cent) are almost completely immune to HIV.

What exactly is almost completely immune mean ? In order to be immune - there can not be an 'almost'

What does 'almost' HIV immunity buy you ? If you don't think you need a condom - are you forgetting about genital warts, gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, etc.

 

[lenny2]

What exactly is almost completely immune mean ? In order to be immune - there can not be an 'almost'

Following is the first item found in an internet search. According to the opinion at the url below:

"Many people who are resistant to HIV have a mutation in the CCR5 gene called CCR5-delta32. The CCR5-delta32 mutation results in a smaller protein that isn't on the outside of the cell anymore. Most forms of HIV cannot infect cells if there is no CCR5 on the surface.

"People with two copies of the CCR5 delta32 gene (inherited from both parents) are virtually immune to HIV infection. This occurs in about 1% of Caucasian people.

"One copy of CCR5-delta32 seems to give some protection against infection, and makes the disease less severe if infection occurs. This is more common, it is found in up to 20% of Caucasians.

"Should everyone be tested for this mutation? Not necessarily. It would be dangerous to assume you are completely safe from infection if you have the CCR5-delta32 mutation.

"It's not an airtight guarantee of never getting AIDS. Some unusual types of HIV can use other proteins for entering cells. Rarely, there have been people who have two mutant CCR5 genes who have died from AIDS.

"Also, CCR5 is not the whole story of immunity to HIV infection. Some resistant people have been found who have two perfectly normal copies of CCR5. So other genes also contribute to slowing down HIV infection, and scientists are busy trying to identify them.

"The usefulness of this work is mainly in how it helps us understand how the virus works and points to new possibilities for drugs to treat infection."

http://genetics.thetech.org/original_news/news13

 

[Aardvark154]

"In 2015, African Americans accounted for 45% of HIV diagnoses, though they comprise 12% of the US population

Which is a full 35 years after the time period I posted about.

In the United States 59.7 percent of those diagnosed from 1981 to 1987 were White men and 95.5 percent of those diagnosed died. From 1988 to 1992 50.4 percent of those diagnosed were White men. It wasn't until 1996 to 2000 that non-Hispanic Blacks made up the majority of those diagnosed.

 

[lenny2]

Which is a full 35 years after the time period I posted about.

In the United States 59.7 percent of those diagnosed from 1981 to 1987 were White men and 95.5 percent of those diagnosed died. From 1988 to 1992 50.4 percent of those diagnosed were White men. It wasn't until 1996 to 2000 that non-Hispanic Blacks made up the majority of those diagnosed.

Are you trying to make a point about HIV immunity & skin colours or races?

"Blacks/African Americansa account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses, those living with HIV, and those ever diagnosed with AIDS, compared to other races/ethnicities. In 2015, African Americans accounted for 45% of HIV diagnoses, though they comprise 12% of the US population.b"

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/racialethnic/africanamericans/

"In the USA, men who have sex with men account for more than two-thirds of all new HIV diagnoses in the country despite representing just 4% of the population.12 If current diagnosis rates do not change, one in six USA-based men who have sex with men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime.

"There are significant disparities by race as this equates to one in two African American/black men who have sex with men, one in four Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men and one in 11 white men who have sex with men.13

https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/western-central-europe-north-america/overview

In Ontario the most at risk groups were "gay and bisexual men, African and Caribbean Ontarians, people who use injection drugs, Aboriginal Peoples, and women (who are members of the above populations or engage in HIV risk activity with them)."

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/hivaids/charact_epidemic.aspx

Likewise for Canada as a whole:

http://www.catie.ca/en/fact-sheets/epidemiology/epidemiology-hiv-canada

 

[lenny2]

"Can I do the test at your lab?"

"Yes, you may do the test in person at our laboratory in Toronto if you wish but the price for individuals who wish to do so is $329.00 plus (HST). In order for us to do the test at a cost-effective way, it is cheaper for you to ship your samples into our laboratory so we could do your test with other individuals which is less expensive for our laboratory and for you."

http://www.delta-32.com/faq.html

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Charlie Sheen said in an interview his sex life has become non-existent because most women wont come near him anymore

 

[IM469]

Charlie Sheen said in an interview his sex life has become non-existant because most women wont come near him anymore

 

[OnTheWayOut]

If everyone didn't have sex unless they knew "without doubt" their partner was HIV negative, the human race would soon become almost extinct.

Did you ever hear George Carlin's theory that HIV is the Earth's revenge on humans for what we did to the planet? The planet is trying to get us to stop procreating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjmtSkl53h4 The cut to the chase part starts at @ 6 minutes.

I sure miss Carlin, he always had an interesting way to look at things. While you may not agree with what he said, he always got you thinking.

 

[lenny2]

"One study from 2001 in Science Daily reported that persons with the CCR5 gene from only one parent “had a 70 percent reduced risk of HIV infection.”

"Reports that I have read suggest that between one and three percent of Northern Europeans are “immune” overall, and about 10 to 15 percent have greater resistance to HIV. So it seems as if a few people are genetically predisposed to block the virus from their bodies almost, but not quite, 100 percent of the time. We just don’t hear about them very often."

http://www.dailyxtra.com/vancouver/youre-immune-hiv-12672


"Latex condoms, used consistently and correctly, are 98-99% effective in preventing HIV transmission."

http://www.aidschicago.org/resources/legacy/condoms/ltoyw_fact.pdf

"Consistent condom use in anal sex stops 70% of HIV infections, study finds..."

"Smith’s risk reduction figure is also lower than condoms’ estimated 80 percent effectiveness among heterosexuals, a figure derived from a meta-analysis of studies of mixed-HIV status couples."

http://www.aidsmap.com/Consistent-c...0-of-HIV-infections-study-finds/page/2586976/

 

[Smallcock]

Charlie Sheen said in an interview his sex life has become non-existent because most women wont come near him anymore

Money, fame, but no sex life. That's hell.