Theory:Shanti virus

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The following fan theories are about the "Shanti virus".

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
The virus affects only evolved humans.	None	+ So far, all of the characters infected with the virus may have been evolved humans. - It is unknown whether Shanti Suresh was an evolved human. • In Four Months Later, it is suggested that the virus might spread to humans, although it is not known if this is true. • It was confirmed in Out of Time that the virus is able to kill humans, though it may be an altered strain.
The virus was either created by, or can be controlled by the Company.	None	+ Viruses haven't got a certain explanation to their origins, so it would be likely that the virus was created by someone. + Bob was very eager to hire Mohinder to the Company to research the virus, using Shanti's name to pique his interests. + Bob hinted that Mohinder would be famous if he cured a virus that spread to the general population. • The Company would have a vested interest in a virus that affects evolved humans. Some members of the Company are evolved humans and Bob implies that much of the Company's resources come from his ability.
Sylar was infected with the virus by the company.	None	+ Sylar was in company's care during his recovery, and of The Line, he can not use his powers. - The virus, as evidenced by Molly Walker's rapid degradation in How to Stop an Exploding Man when she hasn't gotten a transfusion, and the Hatian's rapid decline over just a few days between putting Peter in the shipping crate (Four Months Ago) and being found by Mohinder (Lizards), progresses quickly and rapidly. He would very likely be almost dead now if he had the virus.
Mohinder will attempt to infect Maya with the Shanti virus to "cure" her of her ability, causing the devastating plague witnessed by Peter and Caitlin in a vision.	Maya is seeking Chandra Suresh in order to be "cured" (Four Months Later) When the Company wanted Mohinder to use the virus to de-power Monica, he objected in part because she "loves her abilities". (The Line)	+ Maya's ability has been noted to be the "emission of a plague" by Tim Kring. It's possible that the Shanti virus might somehow interact with this plague. • Mohinder is worried that the modified virus might have unintended results, including a possible cross-over to the general population. + Sylar clearly stated he will kill Alejandro (The Line), making it impossible for him to reverse the process. + The Graphic Novel Quarantine shows the virus has similar symptoms to the one Maya causes. + Maya and Alejandro are going to New York, that's probably where the virus starts to spread since people are ordered to evacuate from the city (The Line)"
Sylar may kill Alejandro which may cause Maya to endure one of her episodes, and she may be unable to start crying. The only one who will be immune to this virus will be Claire who will apply the remaining Shanti Virus shot to her.	None.	+ Claire is once again made out to be the "key" to everything. + Mohinder is given a mission to obtain Claire.
Maya is the carrier of the new virus and Alejandro is the new cure.	None.	+ Maya's ability is infecting people some kind of virus and this one affects humans also. + this could explain why there was not only evolved humans affected by the virus in the future that peter saw. + Sylar wants to kill Alejandro so that could be why in the future that there was no cure. Sylar wanted to use Maya as "his new shiny toy"
Niki released the virus to the general population	None.	+ The company's drugs are made by experimenting with the virus.(The Line) + Niki threw the drugs down the drain releasing the virus into the water system. (Four Months Ago) • Peter may also be responsible - he flushed some down the toilet at "the facility." (Four Months Ago) - The company didn't have any of the virus until Dr. Suresh brought samples from the Haitian and later when he brought Molly in to get treated. The pills given to Niki and Peter were a "cocktail of drugs to suppress the abilities, something like Haitian pills", as Elle called them when giving them to Peter. • If the company inadvertently created the virus while experimenting with ways to suppress abilities, even the pills might have been responsible for the beginning of the virus.
Bob is trying to use the virus to take over the world; he plans to use Adam's blood to cure the virus, but to maintain tight control over it. Once Adam escaped, he revised his plans, and now plans to use Claire as a source for the cure.	None.	+ In Out of Time, Bob mentioned that Adam believed in using a Holocaust to establish supremacy - Bob may have been involved in Linderman's plot and deceiving all (Bob is the source of information on Adam's intentions. + Adam's blood may cure any ailment, as it has been shown to be able to heal advanced radiation exposure.
When used by the Company to cure the it, either Clair or Adam's blood makes the virus unstoppable.	None	+ The virus adapted to Mohinder's blood when it was used as the virus' cure. + The regenerative genes found in Clair and Adam's blood makes them almost indestructible, as is the virus in the dark future. + The virus suppresses powers and so would be able to bypass the healing blood curing it.
The Shanti Virus does not cause the Outbreak	None	• The Shanti Virus may end up becoming neutralized, only for Maya to infect the populace with her ability (possibly after the death of Alejandro, meaning no one can nullify her power). + This would make for an interesting plot twist, which the writers seem to be fond of.