Question
How do genetic mutations relate to HIV?
9 January 2007. Related: All topics, Resistance.
Answer
Your question could relate to two different areas:
(1) Genetic variations and differences between people relate to many different aspects of health.
This includes risk of catching HIV, and the speed that a new infection progresses to AIDS or the time to start treatment.
It has also been linked to different responses to treatment, and risks of some side effects. This research in very early though, and mutations or differences identified only explain some of what is observed.
See: Genetic factors affecting HIV infection and progression rates.
(2) Genetic mutations in the structure of the HIV virus. In the process of continually replicating, HIV often makes errors.
These genetic changes, or mutations, can sometimes reduce the effectiveness of treatment, and sometimes stop the treatment from working completely.
If a mutation has this effect, then the person with that virus has developed resistance to that drug or set of drugs.
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