Health in the future: bed bugs may cure AIDS

(Bork)

On August 30, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the current bed bug outbreak in the US and the myriad of scientific unknowns that surround them, including the fact that bed bugs have feasted on AIDS blood and killed the virus.

"South African researchers have fed them blood with the AIDS virus, but the virus died."

The blog Gawker added this "confirm[s] the insects are practically indestructible. Why can't we reverse bio-engineer that process and cure AIDS?"

Perhaps something good could come from the bed bug resurgence.

Apparently researchers have also "shown that [bed] bugs can retain hepatitis B virus for weeks, but when they bite chimpanzees, the infection does not take."

In the meantime, if think you could have bed bugs, here are some tips to make sure: http://www.bedbugsguide.com/identifying-bed-bugs.htm

And, the best ways to rid you and all of your possessions from these biting pests: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm