Do viruses stay in a organisms system forever?

Question

Need to know arguing with girlfriend

Answer 1

Yes and no, depends on the virus. Some viruses enter what is called a latent phase where they insert themselves into the genetic code of the host, coming out when a certain genetic signal is received (they may never come back out again, actually, which is why some of them might cause cancer depending on where they inserted their genetic material).

Some viruses don't operate this way, but persist simply because of the number of cells that are able to be infected - the infection rate is so slow that they can exist somewhat undetected by the body's defenses (or those, like HIV, that selectively destroy the body's defenses).

Still others are self-terminating infections and others still are easily destroyed by the immune system.

In short, it all depends on the virus you're talking about.

Answer 2

One quick note to add to "michelsa0276"s answer. Some viruses implant their gentic code directly into our own, thereby perpetuating their existance in our cells until we die. One example is the human pamlpoma virus. It forces a mutation of the cells in a woman's cervix by inserting it's own genes in place of the infected individuals. This process is the cause of cervical cancer.

Answer 3

no, viruses depend on their hosts systems to live. At least, this is how I remember it in college.

Oh, I thought you meant even after the organism had died.

Answer 4

Some do, like HIV. Others are exterminated by the immune system. Some may even write themselves into a cell's DNA.

Answer 5

i would thinks so.I think medications only make them benign and let them lay dormant until the immune system weakens and then comes back again...Chronic illnesses are a prime example.

Also my theory on medications is that we only get the weakest form of it so we have to stay dependant on it to fill the pockets of medication corporations.think of it this way..if we were all better after one pill..why would we need to continue to buy medications?
So we get the weakest form of the medication so we feel well but not fully recover so we have to come back for more meds to maintain.Something to think about.

Answer 6

it all depend ,but they cannot live after man dies,some virus can be killed,,,,,but some virus like HIV live in human being till he is living,,,,........viruses behave as a non living when it in outside a living body,,,but acts as living organism when it enters any living body

Answer 7

After all, what is a virus?

Answer 8

yes because isn't AID's a virus?

Answer 9

YES......=[

Answer 10

wat organism u r asking now

sam ;)