Filling in his drawing of the star, Goudsmit added new rays until the picture became a dense cluster that represents the continual pattern of HIV's evolution. It''s long been known that HIV mutates once every time it reproduces-a billion times a day.
Some mutations help the virus survive, while others cripple it.
These mutated viruses are often stronger than the parent and may eventually become dominant. It's survival of the fittest once again. That's why we urgently need to develop a protective vaccine against HIV that can generate a broad range of immune responses to the many viral subtypes. She's been living with HIV for 11 years and is a fierce needle-exchange activist, and transgendered rock 'n' roll glamazon. All that label busting is still easier than her HIV-med regimen, though.