Hiv Ambush

BECAUSE HALF OF ALL PEOPLE INFECTED WITH HIV live for 10 years, showing very few viruses in their blood before developing AIDS, conventional wisdom held that the deadly invaders were dormant much of that time. Not so, say two studies in Nature. The intruding virus immediately produces millions of copies that lie waiting in lymph nodes, pea-size organs found throughout the body. Once key parts of the immune system are destroyed, this reservoir of viruses spills over into the blood. Such a massive behind-the-scenes attack may make it impossible to rid the body of the viruses. The researchers note that these findings underscore once again the importance of prevention in fighting the spread of AIDS.