UK scientists and clinicians working on a groundbreaking trial to test a possible cure for HIV infection say they have made remarkable progress after a test patient showed no sign of the virus following treatment. Antiretoviral drugs alone are highly effective at stopping the virus from reproducing but do not eradicate the disease, so must be taken for life. Early tests on the first person to complete the treatment show no signs of the virus in his blood, the Sunday Times reported. There are approximately 37 million people living with HIV worldwide and about 35 million people have died from the virus. However, stem cell transplants are difficult and potentially dangerous for the recipient and only undertaken where they can save a life.

Source: The Guardian October 02, 2016 08:29 UTC