Why is HIV an incurable disease? Learn why it's called the impostor virus.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Every year, on World AIDS Day, calls are made to end the HIV epidemic worldwide, but the question remains: Despite so much scientific progress, why has a cure for HIV still not been found? HIV is considered the most dangerous virus because it targets the body's immune system and repeatedly mutates to evade drugs. The HIV virus attacks the body's CD4+ T cells, which protect us from disease. As these cells are destroyed, the body's immune system weakens. This condition eventually leads to AIDS, where even a minor infection can be fatal.

HIV is a rapidly mutating virus.

HIV is one of the world's fastest-mutating viruses. Each time it makes a copy, it undergoes small changes. This is why a vaccine cannot affect all its variants. This is why HIV is called a polymorphic virus. HIV's greatest strength lies in its ability to hide. The virus can remain dormant in places like the intestines, brain, and lymph nodes, a medical term for a latent reservoir. ART drugs only control the active virus, but have no effect on latent viruses. Furthermore, the virus reactivates as soon as the medication is discontinued.

No cure, only control.

Two targets are being pursued for HIV treatment: a sterilizing cure, which completely eliminates the virus from the body, and a functional cure, in which the virus remains present but never becomes active. Currently, a complete cure for HIV has not been possible, except in very rare cases. ART drugs reduce the virus to undetectable levels, but cannot completely eliminate it from the body.

Research and funding are also major challenges.

HIV research is ongoing, but often lags due to lack of funding and other epidemics. This is why rapid and sustained progress towards an HIV cure has not been achieved. The initial symptoms of HIV often resemble normal viral infections.  

Read More: Why is HIV an incurable disease? Learn why it's called the impostor virus.