Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; February, 1997
Recent findings from AIDS research suggest that a newly discovered variant gene may affect both susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression in persons who have become infected. The variant gene occurs primarily in persons of Western European heritage, but only about 1% appear to have two copies of it (i.e., they are "homozygotes"). About 15%-20% have one copy (i.e., are "heterozygotes"). Persons with two copies of the gene appear to have some resistance to HIV-1 infection, while those with one copy can become infected but appear to have a slower rate of disease progression.
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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.