[kingkawn]

Varicella Zoster Virus is a true latent infection. HIV is constitutively active and never truly latent in the sense that it goes into dormancy. The virus is constantly replicating and being released, the only thing that causes it to assume what looks like latency is taking drugs on a daily basis. those drugs do not address the virus that is within cells, only preventing that virus from spreading and causing AIDS.

[hakaaaaak]

Thanks! So basically what you are saying is that if the virus isn't replicating, then no cells are carrying the virus and the patient is cured? Are you absolutely sure that conclusion is definite? For example, some cells could have HIV and that HIV has not entered the bloodstream and show up in tests. The brain could be an example of an organ that might continue to have HIV, because of the blood brain barrier, unless HIV could pass through it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood%E2%80%93brain_barrier

[kingkawn]

Sorry, I wrote it out poorly.

HIV has a combination of latent virus and active viral expression at all times. It never goes entirely dormant because of its high replicative rate. You are correct that there is always some virus that is latent, however the overall infection will not assume latency without drug intervention.

This is as opposed to Varicella where the virus will go systemic latent and then reactive much later without any outside intervention.

Herpes is another viral infection that has true systemic latent periods where it is more or less hiding in your own DNA. It is periodically released and can then cause outbreaks of Herpes lesions such as cold sores on the mouth, genital lesions, etc.

The latency of all three diseases are why they cannot be cured once contracted. Varicella can now be effectively vaccinated against, and shingles can be avoided through boosters (not to mention avoidance of stress). One dream for curing HIV would be to signal all latent virus in the body to activate simultaneously, essentially causing a explosion of HIV viral particles, and then immediately flood the person with medication to wipe it all out. The problem with all DNA latency is how do you reach the virus, and if you can reach it, how do you reach it all at once to prevent the virus from reestablishing itself.

A patient on HIV medication can have undetectable viral load, meaning that all active virus is being suppressed. Stopping medication, even for 1 day, can lead to mutation and the rapid reestablishment of progression towards AIDS.