Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
This Forum is made possible in part by Gilead and GlaxoSmithKline.
Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
Reinfection
May 7, 2003
Hi
What are the dangers of reinfection?
Thanks.
Response from Dr. Young
There are several issues that pertain the reinfection (also known as superinfection).
The main one to me is that someone who is initially infected with drug susceptible (sensitive) virus (and doing well on treatment) could acquire a drug-resistant variant and subsequently experience treatment failure. Furthermore, on treatment or no, all of the expectations about good long-term prognosis and simple medications strategies hinges on the ability to treat fully drug susceptible virus.
Superinfection wiht drug-resistant virus would seriously limit treatment options and likely have a significant impact on prognosis and survival.
Superinfection with HIV also means that there is risk of exposure to other pathogens, like hepatitis virus-- also with significant health implications.
These are important factors to consider, given the commonality of the belief that superinfection does not occur (this is why many HIV+ persons are having unprotected intercourse with others who are HIV+).
Thanks for asking. BY
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
