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Rumor · Jan 17, 2007, 03:46 PM

� Mutants Humans Exist and are Immune to HIV - Geiger

My question, is smallpox the same as chickenpox?

Oisín · Jan 17, 2007, 03:51 PM

No, they’re not. They’re both pox, but very different. Smallpox is quite serious, causing pustules and high fever, and leaving scars—in some cases, it can even kill the patient. Chickenpox is what kids get: bit of fever and a rash that doesn’t leave any scars.

ink · Jan 17, 2007, 04:05 PM

Well if Geiger's blog says so....

It must be true. Not saying this isn't, but.. is there any scientific source for this?

Rumor · Jan 17, 2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ink

Well if Geiger's blog says so....

It must be true. Not saying this isn't, but.. is there any scientific source for this?

CCR5-delta 32 - Google Search

Sayf-Allah · Jan 17, 2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ink

Well if Geiger's blog says so....

It must be true. Not saying this isn't, but.. is there any scientific source for this?

Yup, can't remember the exact names of everything about it at the moment but I'll try to dig it up tomorrow.

IIRC it's a mutation in the gene forming the CD4 receptor on our T cells that makes it impossible for the virus to enter them and therefor multiply itself. This mutation is more common in the Scandinavian countries than in other places of the world. Icelanders have the highest rate of this mutation at about 5-6% of the population.

Like I said, I'll try to dig up more info on it tomorrow.

Rumor · Jan 17, 2007, 04:12 PM

AIDS Research and Therapy | Full text | Partial protective effect of CCR5-Delta 32heterozygosity in a cohort of heterosexual Italian HIV-1 exposed uninfected individuals

ink · Jan 17, 2007, 04:34 PM

Cool; here's another: Understanding Genetics: Human Health and the Genome

slugslugslug · Jan 17, 2007, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by ink

Well if Geiger's blog says so....

It must be true. Not saying this isn't, but.. is there any scientific source for this?

I think I remember hearing about this years ago, and seeing it in several reputable sources since then. If any y'all in this thread are university-affiliated in some way, you should try looking into it on Google Scholar.

voodoo · Jan 17, 2007, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Sayf-Allah

Like I said, I'll try to dig up more info on it tomorrow.

Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute

V

Eriamjh · Jan 17, 2007, 05:43 PM

Give everyone aids. Whoever lives is immune. No more aids.

This works for mosquitos and other insects to make them immune to poison. Why not use it on humans?

Oh, yeah... that whole death thing.

ghporter · Jan 17, 2007, 05:53 PM

EVERYONE is a mutant. We all have a number of gene mutations. Some are benign, invisible, even completely meaningless, but we all have them. The fact that some people's T cells are not allowing the HIV to invade them is one result.

Both chickenpox and smallpox are "pox" diseases, in that they form pustules. Chickenpox pustules are small and almost never cause scaring unless you scratch them, while smallpox pustules frequently cause scaring-if you survive. Note that in both diseases the contents of the pustules is LOADED with the virus, so DO NOT come in contact with it.

Currently, there are a large number of people in the world who are susceptible to smallpox because it was "eradicated" and considered no longer found "in the wild." But with whack job megalomaniacs running some countries, it's not a safe thing to trust that. I was vaccinated as a young child in the 1960s, and should probably get a booster, but fortunately for me, I no longer have to go to interesting places at my Uncle's behest, so I'll hold off on that.

Rumor · Jan 17, 2007, 05:55 PM

In theory, if one was immune to chicken pox, then they would also be immune to small pox and possibly HIV?

ghporter · Jan 17, 2007, 06:01 PM

No and no. These viruses are different enough that immunity to one would not convey immunity to others. There is a similarity between smallpox and HIV, but it's not a large similarity. On the other hand, cowpox is VERY similar to smallpox, and was the first immunization method for smallpox. It has to do with, among other things, the proteins on the surface of the virus and how they present themselves to the immune system.

JoshuaZ · Jan 17, 2007, 06:02 PM

When in doubt you can always move to montana and live in a shack in the forrest.

Yes, some people are probably immune to HIV. This idea has been around forever. The problem is that the virus mutates at a very high rate, so its hard to tell who will be immune to it in the long run.