Virus question

[bellelae]

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So this is a stupid question but what determines whether a virus will be lifelong (like herpes or hpv) versus short-lived (like rhinovirus or rotavirus)? Is this just a lay differentiation that isn't actually true? Or is it a DNA virus versus RNA virus thing? Or something else? Thanks!

 

[schussboarder]

So this is a stupid question but what determines whether a virus will be lifelong (like herpes or hpv) versus short-lived (like rhinovirus or rotavirus)? Is this just a lay differentiation that isn't actually true? Or is it a DNA virus versus RNA virus thing? Or something else? Thanks!

I would say that it depends on whether or not the virus can establish latency...if the virus is able to do so, such as the herpes viruses or HIV, then naturally it would be able to infect later on

 

[Mr hawkings]

I would say that it depends on whether or not the virus can establish latency...if the virus is able to do so, such as the herpes viruses or HIV, then naturally it would be able to infect later on

It also depends of what cell types the virus establishes a latent or persistnt infection in. If the cell type is not shielded from atach by the immune system then it would be easier to clear such a virus. If like for herpes, it chills out in the ganglion of a peripheral nerve, then you're ****ed. Its going nowhere till you die.

In the case of the rhinovirus, the cells it infects arethemselves turned over pretty frequently. They are also right at the first line of defence for your immune cells so they guy attacked first.

 

[shreypete]

Well as the readers above posted, latency is definitely crucial in determining whether a virus will be life long (as with the case of the Herpes or the HIV viruses.)

It also depends on the virus' ability to evade the immune defenses in such a way that the host can't really recognize if the pathogen is self or non-self. This happens with the HIV and for this reason, it can go on living for a long time (because it is constantly evading the host immune defenses); the Influenza virus is similar (constant antigen switching exhibiting variable hemagglutinin and neuraminidase activity, which accounts for the various variants of the virus.)

But the ability of a virus to establish latency is what determines whether the virus will be living in the host for an indefinite period.

 

[Frozen]

OP

Latency in viruses involves many different characteristics. It is NOT restricted to DNA or RNA viruses. Arguably the most important aspect of latency is viral genetics. In other words, do they express genes that allow the nucleic acid to remain in the cytoplasm/nucleus/incorporated in the DNA and remain protected from intracellular degradation mechanisms?

Specific Examples:

http://lib.bioinfo.pl/meid:8613