On Thu, 26 Jan 1995 WRATHAL at american.edu wrote:
>> Sure, Natural Selection will effect a virus, HIV included. One consideration
> is that if the virus kills its host too quickly, then there is less chance
> for the virus to infect a new host, and so have a selective disadvantage
> when compared to viruses which are more benign.
This is not necessarily the case. It all depends upon the mode of
transmission. It doesn't matter one bit how fast a virus (or any
pathogenic organism) kills its host if it can still be transmitted
effectively. Aerosol transmission is excellent IF there is a nice,
constant level of interpersonal contact before virus lays you out. If a
virus is transmitted by insect vector, even if you are immobilized and not
interacting with others as a result, if the carrier insect can get to you,
it doesn't matter if the virus kills you quickly or not.
Patrick
