What is the New HIV Variant?
The emergence of a new strain of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has many healthcare providers and scientists worried. This new strain, dubbed CRF19, was discovered in Cuba in 2016 and has since spread to other countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. Because this strain is resistant to certain HIV drugs, the potential for further global HIV transmission increases.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the characteristics and implications of the new HIV variant, CRF19.
Background on HIV/AIDS
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that weakens the body’s immune system. HIV can covertly attack the body, leading to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if left untreated. AIDS is the stage of advanced HIV infection when a person experiences life-threatening illnesses and infections due to the weakened immune system.
HIV is transmitted through the contact of bodily fluids with the bloodstream, typically through unprotected sex. This contact can occur through vaginal, anal or oral sex, or when sharing needles or syringes.
What is the CRF19 HIV Variant?
CRF19 is a form of HIV-1, the most prevalent form of HIV worldwide. It was identified in a 25-year-old Cuban woman in June 2016, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2014. The woman was not on medication and described that she had had many partners over the past several years.
CRF19 is a recombinant virus, meaning it is made up of genetic material from two distinct HIV strains. It has a unique genetic structure not seen before in any other subtype of HIV. This is significant because its genetic profile may affect how it behaves and responds when medications are used to treat it.
CRF19’s Ability to Resist Medication
CRF19’s ability to resist medication is of great concern for healthcare providers and biologists. One of the drugs used to treat HIV, efavirenz, has been shown to be less effective against this strain of HIV than other strains of HIV.
This is because CRF19 has a new set of genes, which allow it to resist the effects of the drug more easily than other HIV strains. The drug efavirenz is commonly prescribed to HIV patients and is often used in combination drug therapy with several other HIV medications. Therefore, if CRF19 is resistant to this drug, it could lead to more difficult treatment regimens to control the virus.
Genetic Make-up and Transmission
The genetic make-up of CRF19 is unique and possibly different from other subtypes of HIV-1. It has also been reported to transmit more easily than other HIV strains, which increases the possibility of further spread.
CRF19 has already been identified in 12 countries, and given the susceptibility of HIV to genetic mutations, this number could rise in the coming years.
Prevent the Spread of HIV With Education
Despite the new challenges of CRF19, taking steps to prevent HIV infection is still crucial. In light of the emergence of this new strain of HIV, there is an urgent need for continued HIV/AIDS education, particularly among people who are most at risk for HIV infection, such as men who have sex with men or individuals engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors.
HIV-prevention strategies should also include greater access to testing and treatment, as well as access to antiretroviral agents, which can both mitigate the severity of, and even prevent, an HIV infection.
List of Basic Ways to Protect Yourself From HIV
No matter who you are, it’s important to practice ways to protect yourself from HIV. Here are a few basic precautions you can take:
• Abstain from sexual activity or practice safe sex by always using a condom consistently and correctly.
• If you are engaging in sex, get tested for HIV at least once every six months, and encourage your partner to do so as well.
• If you are an intravenous drug user, never share needles and syringes with anyone else.
• Refrain from using non-sterile medical and body care practices, such as tattooing, acupuncture and ear piercing.
• If your partner has HIV, you should use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce your risk of HIV transmission.
The new HIV variant, CRF19, poses a significant threat to public health due to the possibility of drug resistance and increased transmission. To help protect yourself and your community, it is important to take steps to prevent HIV and practice safe sex measures. With education and awareness, we can work together to protect ourselves and reduce the transmission of HIV.
