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I'm a bit confused since HIV works by disabling the immune system, and a vaccine works by priming the immune system. So... if HIV has already damaged your immu

I'm a bit confused since HIV works by disabling the immune system, and a vaccine works by priming the immune system. So... if HIV has already damaged your immune system, can it take advantage of the vaccine? Perhaps figuring out that is what the tests are for.

betterunix2 5y ago
Actually the immune system does fight HIV during the acute infection stage after a person is first exposed, and antibodies are generated. The immune response to HIV is what does most of the damage to the immune system, since a typical immune response to virus infection involves the destruction of infected cells. HIV infects certain immune cells, which will either self-destruct when the infection is detected or will be destroyed by other immune cells.
- bayesian_horse 5y ago
  Also, some people actually develop the so called "broadly neutralizing antibodies" and become immune to AIDs as a consequence. There have even be experimental treatments where HIV infected patients who also got Leukemia got treated with radiation, and then a stemcell donation from someone with such an immunity. And they are indeed cured (for practical purposes, there are some details...). Unfortunately, those donors are rare and the radiation therapy etc is probably worse than the chronic antiviral therapy, which is why this is not a more common treatment for HIV. Of course, inducing these particular antibodies has been the goal of various immunization efforts. Unfortunately this proved more challenging than it might seem.
bayesian_horse 5y ago
You are confusing HIV infection and AIDS. The former is the virus, the latter is the end-stage disease. It takes the virus years to reach the viral loads necessary to damage the immune system to a noticeable degree. Sure, HIV has some tricks before that point, but patients are generally not immunocompromised until AIDS enters the picture.
- BurningFrog 5y ago
  That clears up my confusion. Thanx!

betterunix2 5y ago

Actually the immune system does fight HIV during the acute infection stage after a person is first exposed, and antibodies are generated. The immune response to HIV is what does most of the damage to the immune system, since a typical immune response to virus infection involves the destruction of infected cells. HIV infects certain immune cells, which will either self-destruct when the infection is detected or will be destroyed by other immune cells.

bayesian_horse 5y ago
Also, some people actually develop the so called "broadly neutralizing antibodies" and become immune to AIDs as a consequence. There have even be experimental treatments where HIV infected patients who also got Leukemia got treated with radiation, and then a stemcell donation from someone with such an immunity. And they are indeed cured (for practical purposes, there are some details...). Unfortunately, those donors are rare and the radiation therapy etc is probably worse than the chronic antiviral therapy, which is why this is not a more common treatment for HIV. Of course, inducing these particular antibodies has been the goal of various immunization efforts. Unfortunately this proved more challenging than it might seem.

bayesian_horse 5y ago

You are confusing HIV infection and AIDS. The former is the virus, the latter is the end-stage disease. It takes the virus years to reach the viral loads necessary to damage the immune system to a noticeable degree. Sure, HIV has some tricks before that point, but patients are generally not immunocompromised until AIDS enters the picture.

BurningFrog 5y ago
That clears up my confusion. Thanx!