Some of us are immune to HIV

[Juan Corriolis]

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Posted just now

I am puzzled why I have never seen, in any gay forum or gay news reports, the fact that there is a certain group of people who are lacking a specific gene that prevents them from becoming infected with HIV. 

These people can have sex with thousands of HIV positive people and never get infected with HIV because of the lack of a certain gene that prevents HIV from infecting them.  

When HIV was raging before and into 1995, there was no HIV medication that prevented most HIV patients from dying.  Several of my friends died from HIV in 1995 and prior. 

About that time, the CDC and other reliable medical sources (Medical schools)  wrote articles about a lab test that would let a person know if they lacked a specific HIV gene receptor ( CCR5-Δ32 mutation). 

Most who lack the HIV receptor gene were Northern European, however, some were not.

A friend and I hunted for various articles written about the lacking receptor gene.  We also hunted for a lab that administered the test to see if we lacked the HIV gene receptor.   You can find labs on the internet that administer this test.  Some labs require a doctor's prescription while some do not.  

Happily, my friend and I found a lab and took the test.  It was determined that we lack the HIV receptor.   

Needless to say, we were pleased that we could never become infected with HIV. 

We are not completely Northern Europeans.  We are a mixture of Northern European and a bit of Southern Europe.   

If you are concerned about being infected with HIV, you might consider taking that test to see if you lack the receptor.  

For convenience, next is a copy of a response that I got from the internet about the receptor.   

Yes, a small but significant number of people lack a specific gene mutation, the CCR5-Δ32 mutationCCR5-Δ32 mutation mutation, which prevents HIV from infecting their cells, making them naturally resistant to the virus. This genetic variation, more common in Northern European populations, results in the absence of the CCR5 co-receptor that HIV uses to enter CD4+ T cells. Individuals with this mutation, even when exposed to HIV, cannot become infected with the virus. 

AND

 

CCR5 Δ32 Mutation

The CCR5 Δ32 mutation is a deletion of 32 base pairs in the CCR5 gene, which encodes a protein called the chemokine receptor 5. This mutation is found primarily in people of European descent. 

 

Function and Significance:

• HIV Resistance:

  The CCR5 protein is used by HIV to enter cells. The Δ32 mutation prevents HIV from binding to and entering cells, making individuals homozygous for this mutation (carrying two copies of the mutated gene) resistant to HIV infection. 

   

[KeepItReal]

6 hours ago, Juan Corriolis said:

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• Members
• •  3k

 

Posted just now

I am puzzled why I have never seen, in any gay forum or gay news reports, the fact that there is a certain group of people who are lacking a specific gene that prevents them from becoming infected with HIV. 

These people can have sex with thousands of HIV positive people and never get infected with HIV because of the lack of a certain gene that prevents HIV from infecting them.  

When HIV was raging before and into 1995, there was no HIV medication that prevented most HIV patients from dying.  Several of my friends died from HIV in 1995 and prior. 

About that time, the CDC and other reliable medical sources (Medical schools)  wrote articles about a lab test that would let a person know if they lacked a specific HIV gene receptor ( CCR5-Δ32 mutation). 

Most who lack the HIV receptor gene were Northern European, however, some were not.

A friend and I hunted for various articles written about the lacking receptor gene.  We also hunted for a lab that administered the test to see if we lacked the HIV gene receptor.   You can find labs on the internet that administer this test.  Some labs require a doctor's prescription while some do not.  

Happily, my friend and I found a lab and took the test.  It was determined that we lack the HIV receptor.   

Needless to say, we were pleased that we could never become infected with HIV. 

We are not completely Northern Europeans.  We are a mixture of Northern European and a bit of Southern Europe.   

If you are concerned about being infected with HIV, you might consider taking that test to see if you lack the receptor.  

For convenience, next is a copy of a response that I got from the internet about the receptor.   

Yes, a small but significant number of people lack a specific gene mutation, the CCR5-Δ32 mutationCCR5-Δ32 mutation mutation, which prevents HIV from infecting their cells, making them naturally resistant to the virus. This genetic variation, more common in Northern European populations, results in the absence of the CCR5 co-receptor that HIV uses to enter CD4+ T cells. Individuals with this mutation, even when exposed to HIV, cannot become infected with the virus. 

AND

 

CCR5 Δ32 Mutation

The CCR5 Δ32 mutation is a deletion of 32 base pairs in the CCR5 gene, which encodes a protein called the chemokine receptor 5. This mutation is found primarily in people of European descent. 

 

Function and Significance:

• HIV Resistance:

  The CCR5 protein is used by HIV to enter cells. The Δ32 mutation prevents HIV from binding to and entering cells, making individuals homozygous for this mutation (carrying two copies of the mutated gene) resistant to HIV infection. 

   

Article from the Atlantic in 2019 (if I remember correctly) stated it was approx 1% of Northern Europeans, so a very small number. 

[Juan Corriolis]

You will find many different percentages.  Each percentage is an educated guess. 

Some articles might say the resistance to HIV is only 1% while other writings say 2% and some even say the number is 5%.

Who really knows the actual number?  Unless an entire population is tested, every estimate is an educated guess.  

 

[unicorn]

On 9/3/2025 at 11:15 PM, Juan Corriolis said:

• ...

Happily, my friend and I found a lab and took the test.  It was determined that we lack the HIV receptor.   

Needless to say, we were pleased that we could never become infected with HIV. 

We are not completely Northern Europeans.  We are a mixture of Northern European and a bit of Southern Europe.   

If you are concerned about being infected with HIV, you might consider taking that test to see if you lack the receptor.  

For convenience, next is a copy of a response that I got from the internet about the receptor.   

Yes, a small but significant number of people lack a specific gene mutation, the CCR5-Δ32 mutationCCR5-Δ32 mutation mutation, which prevents HIV from infecting their cells, making them naturally resistant to the virus....

•  

While it may be the case that those with the mutation are resistant to infection, the mutation does not make those with it bullet-proof. I certainly wouldn't rely on this mutation to throw caution to the wind. I know of no public health organization which either recommends getting tested for this, nor of any statement that prophylaxis isn't needed when the mutation is present. 

https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/viruses101/hiv_resistant_mutation/

"...The CCR5-delta 32 mutation in a sense locks "the door" which prevents HIV from entering into the cell. 1% of people descended from Northern Europeans, particularly Swedes, are immune to HIV infection. These lucky people are homozygous carriers of the mutated gene - meaning that they inherited a copy from both of their parents. Another 10 -15% (the number has even suggested to be 18%) of people with European heritage inherited one copy of the gene. Just one copy of the mutation does not prevent against infection. It does however reduce carrier's chances of infection and delays the progress of AIDS. Since the CCR5-delta 32 is tied primarily to the Eurasia region, the mutation has not been found in Africans, East Asians, or Amerindians...

...CCR5-32 Delta is exciting. It presents possibilities for new ways to protect against HIV. Many wonder if genetic testing is available yet to see if one has the mutation. There are some tests available (just google CCR5-32 Delta testing and you'll see) but it is not yet widespread or widely recommended. The mutation is not completely fool proof. Cases of homozygous carriers that have become infected with HIV have been reported. These few exceptions have dissuaded health officials from fully supporting genetic tests over ethical concerns. It would not be wise for those with the mutation to assume that they can lead a dangerous lifestyle and remain healthy. Understanding how and why certain people are resistant to HIV/AIDS with the help of CCR5-32 Delta will hopefully lead to new and highly successful treatments in our lifetime."