Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 19

Essay Example Though HIV proved vulnerable to a variety of medicinal treatments in its initial stages, its ability to mutate at a phenomenal rate has allowed it to evade all of the drugs that have been created to combat it. HIV’s propensity to rapidly evolve has thus far prevented scientists from discovering an effectual vaccine. HIV evolves (mutates) into many various types of strains in the afflicted system, therefore, the body’s immune system is not able to locate or eradicate the entirety of the virus. This is the problem for the researchers, doctors and the patients. They are attempting to fight a microbial enemy that is constantly changing and adapting so as to remain resistant to any and all anti-viral medications. â€Å"The [HIV] virus, replicating billions of times a day, can acquire new mutations at lightning speed. Eventually, some of the genetic changes enable the virus to resist even the most powerful drugs. These drug-resistant viruses come to dominate the [cellular] population and threaten the patient’s life† (â€Å"Structured Treatment†, 2001). HIV has been estimated to have the ability to mutate more than 100 times per day in untreated individuals. As a result drug resistant virus cell mutations are well ahead of the particular drug therapy being offered (Shafer, 2004). HIV is difficult to treat because it evolves so rapidly, it outpaces the treatments. â€Å"When a patient begins taking an HIV drug, the drug keeps many of the viruses from reproducing, but some survive because they happen to have a certain level of resistance† (Zimmer, 2001). Because of HIV’s ability to evolve at such a massive pace, it quickly counters selective treatments. The HIV cells that survive the initial drug infusion multiply and their decedents carry the drug resistant strain. This is the reason that patient drug therapy includes what is commonly