Researchers: 5th person cured of HIV after groundbreaking treatment | ABCNL

ABC News5 minutes read

A 53-year-old man in Germany was cured of HIV after a stem cell transplant from a virus-resistant donor, with no detectable virus in his body for over four years. Stem cell transplants offer a potential cure for HIV but are risky and typically reserved for life-threatening conditions like leukemia; meanwhile, medications like PrEP and PEP, as well as the concept of undetectable equals untransmittable, are crucial in HIV treatment and prevention, enabling those with HIV to live healthy lives and reduce transmission risks.

Insights

  • Stem cell transplants from donors resistant to HIV can potentially cure the virus, as seen in the case of the 53-year-old man from Germany, marking a significant breakthrough in HIV treatment.
  • Medications such as PrEP and PEP, combined with the understanding that undetectable equals untransmittable, are vital in managing HIV, enabling individuals to lead healthy lives and decreasing the chances of transmitting the virus to others.

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Recent questions

  • Can HIV be cured?

    No

  • What are risks of stem cell transplants?

    Immune suppression, rejection

  • How can HIV be prevented?

    PrEP, PEP, U=U

  • What is the significance of the German case?

    Unique cure, stem cell transplant

  • How does HIV treatment reduce transmission risk?

    Healthy lives, protect partners

Related videos

Summary

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"Man cured of HIV with stem cells"

  • A 53-year-old man in Germany has been cured of HIV after a stem cell transplant from a donor naturally resistant to the virus, leading to no detectable virus in his body for over four years.
  • Stem cell transplants, while offering a potential cure for HIV, are risky and currently reserved for life-threatening conditions like leukemia due to the dangers of immune suppression and rejection of the transplanted cells.
  • Medications like PrEP and PEP, along with the concept of undetectable equals untransmittable, play crucial roles in HIV treatment and prevention, allowing those with HIV to live healthy lives and reducing the risk of transmission to sexual partners.
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