Discovery of New HIV Variant Sends Warning for COVID Pandemic

As SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has spread throughout the world, many observers have failed to take note of the millions of illnesses and deaths caused by HIV—another virus that has approached pandemic status during its history. Now an HIV variant that is more virulent and transmissible has been discovered in the Netherlands, where … Read more

American Woman Appears to Be Entirely Cured of HIV After Unique Medical Treatment

Ten years ago, an unnamed American woman was diagnosed with HIV. Like the tens of thousands of people who test positive in the US each year, she faced a lifetime of anti-retroviral therapies to keep the virus from obliterating her immune system.   Today, that’s no longer the case. The patient is part of an … Read more

HIV: ‘VB’ is a new and more infectious variant – but it is treatable

The new variant has been found mainly in the Netherlands and it is more infectious, but it can be detected with existing tests and responds to treatment Health 3 February 2022 By Clare Wilson A computer illustration of HIV infecting an immune system cell Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo A more transmissible and … Read more

A New, ‘Highly Virulent’ HIV Variant Was Just Discovered in Europe

A newfound variant of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has been uncovered in the Netherlands and appears to cause faster disease progression compared with other versions of the virus.   The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects and destroys immune cells called CD4 cells in the body, causing the number of these cells to plummet. … Read more

Cancer Drug Flushes Out Latent HIV, Exciting New Study Finds

A widely-used cancer drug that works on the immune system could push HIV out of hiding, potentially leaving the virus open to being attacked and eliminated, according to promising results from a small new study.   HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) almost needs no introduction: the virus is notorious for its ability to evade the immune … Read more

HIV: Cancer drug could one day help cure HIV by waking up dormant viruses

An existing cancer drug has been found to also wake up dormant HIV, and it could eventually work with an HIV medicine in a “kick and kill” strategy Health 26 January 2022 By Clare Wilson The pembrolizumab monoclonal antibody drug protein molekuul.be / Alamy Stock Photo Today, HIV can be kept under control, but for … Read more

How much more contagious could the coronavirus get?

The coronavirus is evolving to become more transmissible, and eventually it could even overtake measles, the most contagious virus we know of Health 26 January 2022 By Alice Klein An illustration of SARS-CoV-2 Gerd Altmann/Pixabay Over the past two years, we have witnessed evolution in action, with new variants of the coronavirus becoming increasingly contagious. … Read more

How Immunocompromised People without Strong Vaccine Protection Are Coping with COVID

George Franklin III is one of the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipients in the U.S. Now 67, he received his lifesaving surgery 46 years ago, which has enabled him to lead a healthy and active life—swimming, bowling, visiting friends and even competing in a sporting tournament known as the International Transplant Games. But since the beginning … Read more

Mapping where HIV hides its genes suggests cure strategy | Science

An HIV infection remains maddeningly difficult to cure because the virus is so good at hiding out. Yes, antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control an infection, but HIV integrates its genes into human chromosomes, evading both drugs and the immune system. Now, a research group studying a handful of HIV-infected people who have been on treatment … Read more

FDA Just Approved The World’s First Injectable Medication to Prevent HIV

The world’s first injectable medication to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency announced Monday (December 20).   The injectable drug – called Apretude or its generic name, “cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension” – provides an alternative to daily pills for HIV prevention, such as Truvada and Descovy. These pills are … Read more