Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - November 14, 2005
Andrew Stimpson, 25, told two British newspapers that he tested positive for HIV in August 2002, but that tests 14 months later came back negative. He told the Mail on Sunday, "I can't help wondering if I hold the cure for AIDS."
Stimpson also was interviewed by News of the World, which said it paid for the story - a common practice in Britain - but declined to reveal how much. The Mail on Sunday could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare Trust, which conducted Stimpson's HIV tests, confirmed he had had a positive test followed by a negative one, but would not say this meant he was cured.
"This is a rare and complex case," the hospital said in a statement. "When we became aware of Mr. Stimpson's HIV negative test results we offered him further tests to help us investigate and find an explanation for the different results.
"So far Mr. Stimpson has declined this offer."
Stimpson told the Mail on Sunday he was happy to submit to further tests.
"This appears to be a highly unusual case and without further tests it really is impossible to draw any conclusions for people living with HIV," said Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust.
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