Man recovers from HIV

[Phantom_RAcast]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4432564.stm
Doctors are planning further tests on a British man whose body has reportedly cured itself of HIV without treatment.

Two Sunday newspapers report that Andrew Stimpson, 25 and from London, was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2002 but found to be clear in October 2003.

Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust, which carried out the tests, has asked him to undergo more. He said his apparent recovery was a "miracle".

HIV experts say his case could help to reveal more about the disease.


I think I'm one of the luckiest people alive
Andrew Stimpson

There have been anecdotal accounts before from Africa of people shaking off the HIV virus, but the evidence in this case, as reported in the News of the World and the Mail on Sunday, appears to be conclusive, BBC health correspondent Adam Brimelow said.

Mr Stimpson said: "There are 34.9 million people with HIV globally and I am just one person who managed to control it, to survive from it and to get rid of it from my body.

"For me that is unbelievable - it is a miracle. I think I'm one of the luckiest people alive."

Mr Stimpson told the newspapers that he became depressed and suicidal after being told he was HIV-positive but remained well and did not require medication.

Further tests

Some 14 months later he was offered another test by doctors, which came back negative.

He sought compensation but has apparently been told there is no case to answer because there was no fault with the testing procedure.

Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare Trust have asked to conduct more tests on Mr Stimpson both for his benefit and for other patients.

He has told the papers he would do anything he could to help find a cure.

[Serpent7]

I reckon there's just been a mistake with the testing... unfortunately.

[Arrogantelf]

I am inclined to agree with Serpent 7. This is a virus which has evaded a cure due to constant mutation. If Mr. stimpson has been that lucky then all i can maybe think of is that the mutation that infected him was able to be destroyed by his immune system. He's very very lucky.

Although i have heard in the past of people having a natural immunity to Hiv.

[Phantom_RAcast]

I reckon there's just been a mistake with the testing... unfortunately.

Yeah, but theres still the possibility that there wasnt and he did recover. I hope to see some updates on this soon.

[Faulkie]

I doubt they'd tell him that he'd recovered unless they were 100% (or as close as possible) sure that he actually HAD recovered. No point in getting his hopes up like that!

Supposing that what they are saying is true, then this surely is cool. He must have a super-human immune system or something!

[rena-ko]

if there really were no mistake (like... a failure during the first test as in that he never had it to begin with or a failure now...) then lets hope it helps.

[day]

I hope it wasn't a mistake otherwise Mr.stimpsons family will be very angry and very upset and the testers will be getting their pants sued off them.

[jarl]

im going to be optimistic here, and say 'nice one that guy' but, as you have said it may just be he was infected with a mutuated virus that left itself open to his immune system. all the same, its pretty good for him.

[Vulcan]

If the HIV virus constantly mutates, surely theres a chance it could mutate into something our white blood cells could destroy.
Unfortunatly i wouldnt hold your breath for an instant cure anytime in the near future.

[mdbrim2004]

If this is true, it truely was a miracle. I have a family member with the virus, if only he could recover from it... :|

But if this guy did had it and did get rid of it, we may possibly be seeing some sort of cure for it in the next 10 to 20 years. I doubt it would come anytime soon.