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Probability-wise, mutations can make new strains more deadly just as often as less-deadly. Evolution-wise, the more-deadly strains of parasites are less viable
by simonblack 5y ago
Probability-wise, mutations can make new strains more deadly just as often as less-deadly.
Evolution-wise, the more-deadly strains of parasites are less viable long-term, so they die out more rapidly than the less-deadly strains.
Think about it. If you have a less-deadly strain, the victim survives longer and can infect more victims than a more-deadly strain that kills off its victims too soon before they get a chance to infect others.
- trinovantes 5y agoIt simply needs to keep the host alive during its incubation period. Whatever happens afterwards doesn't really matter e.g. by the time HIV shows symptoms (AIDS), it's too late for the host and it probably has already infected others.