regurgitating snake

[hellosugaree]

Originally Posted by infernalis

No the whole physiology behind parasites is that they need the host to remain alive, if the host perishes, the parasite dies with it.

Parasites (Flukes, worms) gain their nourishment from the host animal, so the host animal needs to digest that meal.

HIV doesn't benefit by killing you, but eventually it (indirectly) causes your death. Just because something isn't advantageous for a parasite, it does not necessarily mean that it won't happen in a particular individual. A parasite may not intend to make an animal regurgitate food or die as part of it's "plan." I would never rule out parasites only on the premise that the way it makes an animal sick doesn't support itself. I'm not claiming to be an expert or suggesting that your snake has parasites, but I am saying that regurgitation doesn't exclude parasites because it doesn't nourish them. The way an animal reacts to sickness is a combination of host and parasite responses.

Most importantly, don't take any advice too seriously, including mine. I'm not a veterinarian or a snake expert.

Sorry to hear about your snake. I can imagine issues like these are probably very difficult to pinpoint and a pain to solve in cases where it isn't something completely obvious like playing catch outside with your snake after it eats.

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

HIV doesn't benefit by killing you, but eventually it (indirectly) causes your death. Just because something isn't advantageous for a parasite, it does not necessarily mean that it won't happen in a particular individual. A parasite may not intend to make an animal regurgitate food or die as part of it's "plan." I would never rule out parasites only on the premise that the way it makes an animal sick doesn't support itself. I'm not claiming to be an expert or suggesting that your snake has parasites, but I am saying that regurgitation doesn't exclude parasites because it doesn't nourish them. The way an animal reacts to sickness is a combination of host and parasite responses.

Most importantly, don't take any advice too seriously, including mine. I'm not a veterinarian or a snake expert.

Sorry to hear about your snake. I can imagine issues like these are probably very difficult to pinpoint and a pain to solve in cases where it isn't something completely obvious like playing catch outside with your snake after it eats.

Isn't HIV a virus?

[infernalis]

Isn't HIV a virus?

Yes, HIV is a virus, and furthermore it's intended host is a primate that can tolerate the virus.

It was introduced into the human population when a group of scientists were testing a vaccine for the common cold.

Viruses and single cell organisms are called infections, not parasites.

But I digress, I know nothing.

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Yes, HIV is a virus, and furthermore it's intended host is a primate that can tolerate the virus.

It was introduced into the human population when a group of scientists were testing a vaccine for the common cold.

Viruses and single cell organisms are called infections, not parasites.

But I digress, I know nothing.

Join my little world then.

[hellosugaree]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Isn't HIV a virus?

Yes, but you could easily extend the reasoning to whatever categories of disease-causing agents you consider a parasite. Malaria work better for you? It doesn't benefit by killing people, although it has another host, mosquito, in which it does not cause disease. In any case, the sooner people die from it, the less likely it is they will be bitten by mosquitos and continue to transmit the disease to others. Humans (or other animals depending on type) are essential for the life cycle of malaria... If you still don't consider malaria a parasite, you can apply it to whatever you consider a parasite.

By the way, parasite is a general term that refers to an association where one thing benefits at the expense of another and generally requires it for an essential part of it's reproductive cycle. It doesn't necessarily apply to one group of organisms or even necessarily living things at all (as you might argue viruses are not really living). In any case, where to draw the line on parasite/non parasite doesn't change the argument.