>>Lynton:
>>a possibility that what is being called a virus (HIV)
>> could be "x": a new type of infectious agent

>Carol:
> They test for antibodies.  (which) can be found in the bloodstream
>long after that infectious agent is gone.

Lynton:
That's interesting.  Is it usual to use antibody detection to diagnose other
virus types as well, or do they have a more direct/specific methods?

And another question: in cases where the immune system is severely disabled
by medical treatment (eg chemotherapy for cancer) could AIDS-like symptoms
develop?