Name: Why it's so hard to cure HIV/AIDS
Uploaded: 2017-09-07T20:33:12Z
Duration: 4 min 16 s
Description: In 2008, something incredible happened: a man was cured of HIV. In over 70 million HIV cases, this was a first, and, so far, a last, and we don't yet understand exactly how he was cured. But if we can cure people of various diseases, like malaria and hepatitis C, why can't we cure HIV? Janet Iwasa examines the specific traits of the HIV virus that make it so difficult to cure.

Janet Iwasa: Why it's so hard to cure HIV/AIDS

Why it's so hard to cure HIV/AIDS

In 2008, something incredible happened: a man was cured of HIV. In over 70 million HIV cases, this was a first, and, so far, a last, and we don't yet understand exactly how he was cured. But if we can cure people of various diseases, like malaria and hepatitis C, why can't we cure HIV? Janet Iwasa examines the specific traits of the HIV virus that make it so difficult to cure. 

Despite over 70 million HIV cases, only one person has ever been cured, highlighting the disease’s unique challenge. HIV embeds itself in the DNA of immune cells, hiding where current drugs cannot reach. While antiretroviral therapy keeps the virus in check and allows patients to live normal lives, stopping treatment lets HIV return. New scientific strategies offer hope, but political and economic barriers still prevent many from accessing lifesaving care.