New strain of HIV virus detected

As if battling the rising number of persons being infected with HIV/AIDS was not enough, researchers have detected a new strain of the virus that is causing alarm among medical practitioners treating HIV/AIDS because it can move from HIV to full blown AIDS faster than any other known HIV strains. The new strain, known as A3/02, shortens the time it takes HIV to turn into full blown AIDS. Current strains take about 7 1/2 years before full blown AIDS occurs but the new strain takes only 5 years before full blown AIDS can occur. Persons infected with HIV do not necessarily develop AIDS in the 5 to 7 year span if they are on a treatment program. But untreated or undetected HIV can shorten life expectancy. So far the new virus has only been found in West Africa but researchers believe the fast moving virus will be in the United States and Europe...