Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I recently discovered that I am HIV positive and I'm very scared. I'm on the computer all the time looking for some form of hope. I ran across this article about nanodrugs and how they 'feel' a cure for the HIV virus soon within the next five years. Have you heard anything about this and if so is it possible?
Lisa Capaldini, M.D.
Internal Medicine
You have stumped the professor! I haven't heard of nanodrugs-but
let's go ahead and talk about the cure issue.
The GOOD news is that people with HIV are living, and with easier
to take medicines, living well. I find that many of my patients
with HIV are afraid of dying from HIV infection (which is very
rare in patients who have access to the newer drug regimens) or
are intimidated by the drug regimens (there are now regimens as
easy as one pill twice a day, or four piills once a day).
On the frustrating news side, researchers believe that actual CURE of HIV infection, that is, eradicating it completely and permanently from the body is unlikely any time soon. This has to do with a lot of complicated issues about the virus: how it can "hide", or be latent in certain cells, the limitations of HIV vaccines, and the ability of the virus to change, or mutate.
I tell my patients to think of the HIV meds we do have as important life jackets: we'll use them until and if a cure eventually arrives.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, Roche and Trimeris, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.