There are over 60 type 1 strains of HIV around the world but a new strain of HIV discovered in Cuba is of particular concern to researchers.
Called CRF19, the new HIV strain is a combination of the sub-types A, C and D. Known as a recombinant, the new strain developed when an individual contracted several variants of the virus. It's nothing new to discover recombinant strains of HIV but what is particularly troublesome about CRF19 is its aggressiveness, developing into AIDS in just three years instead of the usual five to 10.
With the speed at which it leads to AIDS, the strain worries researchers because it leaves infected individuals with less time to seek treatment with antiretrovirals. With the infection progressing faster than it should, it's possible that some people might not even realize that they have caught the strain until it's too late.
There's also the general concern that mutated viruses are harder to diagnose. And even when newer strains are diagnosed, the kinds of treatments available might not be suitable for them, providing infected individuals with limited therapy options. It's even possible for a mutated strain like CRF19 to become completely resistant to existing therapies, virtually wiping out any hope a patient might have for getting better.
Researchers have been working on developing vaccines to counter HIV and AIDS but the discovery of a new strain may be considered as a setback because the strain has not been factored into the vaccine's design. Should a vaccine be successful, it will only work on strains discovered earlier as the vaccine was developed with those in mind. Against newer strains, a successful vaccine may only be partially effective or even be rendered completely useless.
More than 1.2 million in the United States are living with HIV, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in every seven doesn't even know they have it and because they don't know they are infected, they can unknowingly pass the virus to others. Gay and bisexual men of all races account for the biggest portion of HIV cases but the virus can infect anyone. Around 1 in every four new cases of HIV will occur in the age group between 13 and 24. HIV symptoms can vary and many don't even exhibit signs of contracting the virus until the infection enters its late stages and nears progression to AIDS.
