I think there is a bit of confusion about what the body does to deal with viruses and what it means to get over a viral infection in general. I wont go into an immunology lesson and will try to keep it simple.
When a virus enters the body it replicates itself by hijacking cells and altering their DNA so that that cell no longer functions normally but instead makes more of the virus. The immune system combats this by killing those cells and viruses with various types of immune cells. The goal of the immune system is two fold; kill the infected cells and virus and make antibodies to that virus for future protection. In ideal cases the immune system wins and the viral load is reduced and the infection is eliminated. Some virus remains however in an inactive state, that is, not attacking cells and proliferating in the body. The infection has been cleared but the virus will always remain as will the antibodies to keep it in check. With many viruses like the rhinovirus or common cold, that is the end of the story, the immunes system won't allow that virus to cause illness again, which is why you wont get the same cold twice.
Some viruses however can be reactivated after the initial infection or are so virulent that they can not be over come by the immune system at all, and the virus wins. Examples of this can be seen with many of the herpes simplex viruses, the AIDS virus and the HPV virus.
Hope this information helps clarify what has previously been said about HPV infections or cervical dysplasia.
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I think there is a bit of confusion about what the body does to deal with viruses and what it means to get over a viral infection in general. I wont go into an immunology lesson and will try to keep it simple.
When a virus enters the body it replicates itself by hijacking cells and altering their DNA so that that cell no longer functions normally but instead makes more of the virus. The immune system combats this by killing those cells and viruses with various types of immune cells. The goal of the immune system is two fold; kill the infected cells and virus and make antibodies to that virus for future protection. In ideal cases the immune system wins and the viral load is reduced and the infection is eliminated. Some virus remains however in an inactive state, that is, not attacking cells and proliferating in the body. The infection has been cleared but the virus will always remain as will the antibodies to keep it in check. With many viruses like the rhinovirus or common cold, that is the end of the story, the immunes system won't allow that virus to cause illness again, which is why you wont get the same cold twice.
Some viruses however can be reactivated after the initial infection or are so virulent that they can not be over come by the immune system at all, and the virus wins. Examples of this can be seen with many of the herpes simplex viruses, the AIDS virus and the HPV virus.
Hope this information helps clarify what has previously been said about HPV infections or cervical dysplasia.
April 9, 2010 - 2:22pmThis Comment
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