Nonprogressors and HIV resistant
A few people with HIV are described as nonprogressors. These people have HIV that does not progress to more severe symptoms or disease. Most nonprogressors:
- Have lived with the infection for 10 to 15 years and remained healthy.
- Do not have declining CD4+ cell counts.
- Have a very low level of HIV in their blood.
A small number of people never become infected with HIV despite years of exposure to the virus; for example, they may have repeated, unprotected sex with an infected person. These people are said to be HIV-resistant.
Studies are under way to determine why some people either do not become infected with HIV or, if they do, why they do not develop symptoms or lose CD4+ cells. Research has shown that:
- Some people's CD4+ cells are relatively resistant to HIV. If HIV cannot attach itself to CD4+ cells, it cannot destroy them.
- Some people's immune systems may be better able to destroy the virus.
- Some strains of HIV may not be as harmful.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: May 8, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine | |
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