HIV virus is no longer as dangerous as before

According to the latest research, the HIV virus has had many changes compared to the past in Africa.

According to the latest research, the HIV virus has had many changes compared to the past in Africa. Scientists at Oxford University took samples of the HIV virus in Botswana and South Africa to conduct research. While the HIV epidemic broke out in Botswana in the 1980s, in South Africa it was in the 1990s. It also means that in Botswana, the HIV virus has had a longer period of development.

However, after bringing the HIV virus samples to the lab for follow-up, the scientists found that: The Botswana HIV virus spread more slowly than the virus from South Africa, which means they lost. More time to destroy human immune system and turn to AIDS stage.

Scientists say our immune system is able to adapt and develop to fight harmful viruses entering the body. Accordingly, about 15% of people in southern Africa have a more developed immune system, able to identify important proteins of harmful viruses to prevent. In such cases, it is imperative that viruses and HIV viruses change their own proteins to avoid detection. Such changes make these viruses weaker and less likely to cause disease. When they infect other people, these viruses retain the new form of protein, which in turn leads to less serious illnesses over a long period of time.

Besides, another reason why HIV virus tends to weaken is due to the widespread use of HIV drugs. With the discovery and use of early HIV drugs, it has contributed to preventing HIV viruses from transforming into a more dangerous form. The number of people who have access to HIV medicines in Africa has been increasing in recent years, from 5 million in 2010 to 13.6 million.

While the results of this study show many positive signals, scientists still report that the development of HIV in Europe and America may be very different from that in Africa. Therefore, the fight against HIV worldwide is still very tough.

Reference: newscientist.