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Legend has it that vampires are immortal, or become immortal after turning. Nothing kills them, except for the obligatory stake through the heart, silver bullet, a tad of shunning with some garlic and holy water, maybe even some sunlight.

But what about blood borne diseases?

Time does not discuss the more biological side of Vampires, in regard to disease and the effect it may or may not have on immortality, as it poses many questions, in regard to whether the Biological System of Vampires, is perhaps more advanced than a general human?

Does a Vampire have it’s own personal Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) that can help the body stay relatively healthy to help fight off diseases and bacteria?

When a virus enters the human body, it needs to attach itself to a receptor site on a cell where it proceeds to engulf and penetrate the outer membrane, to allow replication of the virus, in the nucleous to enable infection. This only occurs after an unknown co-receptor, allows the virus to enter and replicate in the cell.

Certain rare mutated nucleated cells, are resistant to viruses, due to the lack of a critical surface receptor on the cell, comprising N-linked glycoprotein. Although viruses can still attach themselves to the cell, the lack of the N-linked glycoprotein on the surface of the cell, stops the virus from entering, therefore ceasing virus attachment and replication, as it cannot infect the mutated cell unless it is allowed entry.

So is it possible, that Vampires, have an advanced Immune System, that consist of their cells having no N-linked glycoprotein?

If so, are there hidden benefits in becoming a Sanguinarian? Considering blood carries disease fighting substances to the tissues, is it possible, that through consuming blood of other's, the cells in our body may go through a mutation, to produce cells deficient in N-linked glycoprotein?

I think that first, you would have to specify what sort of vampire you were talking about. Although, I have to admit, I've wondered similar things myself.

You're combining fact and fiction. Sanguinarian vampires are mortal, just like the rest of us. They are susceptible to blood-born diseases and are fully capable of dying from them.

Yes, I realise that La Muerte, hence why I left the Sanguinarian part to the last moment, I'm not an idiot..

It was just a thought on how maybe we all have the opportunity to live as we were immortal, by being disease free..

I think that the "blood-drinking immortals" differ from blood-drinking mortals.

Immortality, by its very definition, means to never die. I figure that immortal vamps have to be something like what is described in "The Queen of the Damned" (book, folks). Vampirism in this sense is a mutated demonic spirit but appears to create its own blood-borne anti-"virus". Literally.
It would be much more powerful than any other type of virus in order to keep all pathogens from the system and to prevent the biological breakdown of the cellular structure.

Mortal vamps are well....mortal.

Just my two cents.

I was just specifying. Nothing personal.

Minamurray, I understand what your saying, but I am refering to real life events, something that may be beneficial for not only Sangs, but society in general regarding future Medicine..

Hmmm... very interesting I believe they still die from blood deseases...

I like your kind of thinking.

I think it is possible that Sanguinarians would have an advanced immunity to viruses through some sort of mutated surface proteins, but also don't you think an integral part of immortality would be resisting mutations, particularly mutations in tumor suppression genes? Since vampires (at least traditionally) cannot be exposed to sunlight at least UV radiation damage to their DNA would be limited. But they would still receive as much radiation as any human living in a dark hole, such as radiation from radon gas, the radioactive decay of elements in the earth, etc etc. Or...OR!! Perhaps they lack tumor suppression genes and thus can achieve immortal cells but have a more sophisticated way to control when and where apoptosis occurs?

Just another thought for the possible science behind Sanguinarian immortality. :)

I think that one thing that has been over looked his the emotional effect that can have on one being. Seeing those around you grow old and die might be too much for a person to bare. At some point the subject might decide to limit his contact with people, but that could only had to the strain on his mental state.

Yes, that's very true, and perhaps sadly for some, rare cellular mutation is not an option..

You know I am not sure, I am going to have to think about this one some more.

To many variables.

If the natural resistent to blood born disease was true- then I can see the advantages it might have it medical terms. But you cant have everyone trying to manipulate it- thats why most hide.

In my opinion, and from alot of research- Sang Vamps dont have a natural resistance to blood born illnesses and have to be careful with their donors because of this.

think about it- If they did- or if they were Immortal, wouldnt Humanity be outrun by vamps by now?
(If you have anything to say to this, as I have seen you commenting back to others- please message me directly)