Are there people who can not contract HIV AIDS?

The short answer is yes, there are rare cases of people who are naturally resistant to HIV, but they're the exception, not the rule.

Here's how that works:

1. CCR5-Δ32 Mutation

Some people (especially of European descent) carry a genetic mutation called CCR5-Δ32. This mutation affects the CCR5 receptor on white blood cells, which is one of the main gateways HIV uses to enter cells. People who inherit two copies of this mutation (one from each parent) have cells that lack functional CCR5 receptors, making it extremely hard for HIV to infect them. These people are often called "HIV-resistant".

About 1% of people of European descent have two copies of the mutation (homozygous). Around 10–15% have one copy (heterozygous), which provides partial protection—they can still get HIV, but the progression is slower. The famous case of the “Berlin Patient” (Timothy Ray Brown) was cured of HIV after a bone marrow transplant from a donor who had two CCR5-Δ32 mutations.

2. Elite Controllers

There's another rare group known as elite controllers. These individuals do get infected with HIV, but their immune systems are able to control the virus without medication for many years.

• They still technically have HIV, but the virus doesn't replicate to harmful levels.

• Scientists are still studying how their immune systems manage this feat.

3. Post-treatment Controllers

Some people treated very early after infection and then stop therapy can maintain undetectable viral loads. They're not cured, but their body keeps the virus in check.

💡 Important Note: These cases are extremely rare. The vast majority of people are susceptible to HIV, and safe practices (like using protection, regular testing, and treatment) remain the best defense.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Normally, red blood cells are round, flexible discs that can easily move through blood vessels. In people with SCD, a genetic mutation causes their red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and C-shaped, like a farm tool called a sickle.

These "sickle cells" cause a number of serious health problems:

Blocked Blood Flow: The sickle-shaped cells are not flexible and can get stuck in small blood vessels, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to various parts of the body. This can cause sudden, severe episodes of pain called a pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisi.

Anemia: Sickle cells die much faster than healthy red blood cells, living only about 10 to 20 days instead of the usual 120 days. This leads to a constant shortage of red blood cells, a condition known as anemia, which can cause fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath.

Organ Damage: The repeated blockages and lack of oxygen can damage vital organs, including the spleen, kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs, over time.

Increased Risk of Infection: The spleen, an organ that helps fight infections, is often damaged by sickle cells, making people with SCD more susceptible to serious bacterial infections.

Inheritance

SCD is a genetic condition inherited from a person's parents. A child is born with SCD only if they inherit a sickle cell gene from both parents.

If a child inherits one sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other, they have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually don't have symptoms of the disease, but they can pass the gene on to their children.

Types of SCD

There are several types of SCD, with varying levels of severity, depending on the specific genes inherited from each parent. The most common types include:

Hemoglobin SS (HbSS): This is the most severe form of SCD, where a person inherits a hemoglobin "S" gene from both parents. It is commonly referred to as sickle cell anemia.

Hemoglobin SC (HbSC): This is typically a milder form of SCD, where a person inherits a hemoglobin "S" gene from one parent and a gene for a different type of abnormal hemoglobin called "C" from the other.

Hemoglobin S beta thalassemia: This form of SCD occurs when a person inherits a hemoglobin "S" gene and a gene for beta thalassemia, another type of hemoglobin abnormality.

Treatment

While there is no widespread cure for SCD, treatments are available to manage the symptoms, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. These treatments can include pain medication, antibiotics to prevent infections, blood transfusions, and, more recently, gene therapies.

What are the risks for stopping taking daily ARV

Stopping antiretroviral (ARV) medication, even for a short period, is highly risky for a person living with HIV. ARVs are designed to be taken daily to keep the virus suppressed. When a person stops taking their medication, the virus can rebound and multiply, leading to a number of serious health consequences.

Here are the primary risks associated with stopping ARV medication:

1. Viral Rebound and Immune System Damage
The main function of ARVs is to suppress the HIV viral load to an undetectable level. This prevents the virus from replicating and destroying the immune system's CD4 cells. When ARVs are discontinued, the virus, which is still present in the body in "reservoirs," begins to multiply rapidly. This viral rebound leads to:

• A drop in CD4 cell count: The number of CD4 cells, which are crucial for fighting off infections, will decrease.

• A weakened immune system: As the CD4 count falls, the immune system becomes compromised, leaving the person vulnerable to opportunistic infections and other serious illnesses.

• Progression to AIDS: Without a functioning immune system, the person is at a much higher risk of developing AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

2. Development of Drug Resistance

This is one of the most significant and long-lasting risks. When ARVs are stopped, the virus is no longer fully suppressed. It begins to replicate, and during this process, it can mutate. Some of these mutations can make the virus resistant to the ARV drugs the person was taking.

• Treatment failure: Once the virus becomes resistant to a particular drug regimen, that combination of medicines will no longer be effective.

• Limited future options: This resistance can sometimes extend to other drugs in the same class, a phenomenon known as "cross-resistance." This can significantly limit the person's future treatment options and may require them to switch to more complex, expensive, and potentially more toxic "second-line" or "third-line" regimens.

3. Increased Risk of HIV Transmission

When ARVs are taken consistently, they can reduce a person's viral load to an undetectable level. This is often referred to as "undetectable = untransmissible" (U=U), which means the virus cannot be sexually transmitted. However, if ARV therapy is stopped, the viral load will increase, and the person can transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

4. Other Health Complications

Studies have shown that stopping ARV medication is associated with a higher risk of serious health problems unrelated to HIV itself, including:

1. Cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, etc.)

2. Kidney and liver problems

3. Certain types of cancer
4. Increased inflammation throughout the body
5. Acute Retroviral Syndrome

When the viral load increases after a person stops taking ARVs, they may experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headaches, and swollen glands. This is similar to the symptoms people experience when they are newly infected with HIV.

Important Note:

If someone is considering stopping their ARV medication for any reason—such as side effects, financial issues, or a desire for a "treatment holiday" - it is crucial they talk to their healthcare provider first. A doctor can help address the underlying reasons, potentially by switching to a different, more tolerable regimen, or providing resources to help with adherence. Discontinuing ARVs without medical supervision is not recommended and can have severe, long-term consequences.