So dumb question, but if you have HIV, does that mean you won't have transplant ...

smileybarry · 2024-10-12T14:48:29 1728744509

(Disclaimer: not a doctor)

AIDS is the immune deficiency-causing virus, and that begins (usually) way after an HIV infection takes place — months, years. So until then, they’d still need to take immunosuppressants.

phoe-krk · 2024-10-12T15:38:17 1728747497

> AIDS is the immune deficiency-causing virus

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) the illness, whereas a HIV infection (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is its cause.

smileybarry · 2024-10-12T20:57:42 1728766662

That's what I meant but I accidentally used the term virus, thanks.

iknowstuff · 2024-10-12T15:41:59 1728747719

to be clear, I believe modern antiretrovirals can prevent the virus from replicating for an entire lifetime. They bring the viral load down to undetectable levels.

echelon · 2024-10-12T17:36:44 1728754604

They're miracle drugs, but they aren't panaceas.

Hopefully they are administered before too much damage to the immune system is done.

And hopefully the treatment regimen is adhered to, because the virus can become resistant.

It is so much better to not have the virus in the first place.

smileybarry · 2024-10-12T20:59:26 1728766766

Oh of course, I just meant to emphasize that it isn't HIV that causes immune system deficiency, therefore, transplant rejection can still occur.

anon291 · 2024-10-14T15:30:41 1728919841

But after AIDS sets in, you don't?