In the U.S. alone, over 1 million people are infected with HIV and an estimated 658,507 people have died due to the HIV epidemic. Since the first confirmed HIV case in the U.S occurred in 1981, researchers have struggled to find a cure for the elusive virus.
Research for finding the cure to HIV has cost the U.S. nearly $28 billion annually. For those infected with the HIV virus, a lifetime treatment for HIV treatment is over $300,000. HIV healthcare in the U.S. is extremely costly, and a third of those infected with HIV cannot afford the treatment. Besides not being able to afford the treatment, a majority of those infected don’t have insurance.
“I think that it [the cure] would be overpriced as a way to put the world in a class system. I would guess that the cure would impact a small percentage of the population based on wealth and accessibility of the treatment. It would further isolate communities such as sex workers and a large population in Africa,” Kate Huffman, Senior, Member of HOSA.
Research has been extremely costly with minor advancements. Difficulty finding a cure stems from the virus’s ability to detect cells working to defend the body against infection and bacteria. These cells that play a crucial role in defending the body are the host cells for HIV. Most people living with HIV have prescribed drugs that prevent the viral genome from being copied and reaching the cell’s DNA. Similarly, drugs that prevent the virus from spreading and infecting new cells in the body are also prescribed. Unfortunately, a cure has yet to be discovered.
Despite challenges faced in finding a cure, researchers and people infected with the virus have not lost hope. Research has continued to develop, and a second person has sustained remission from HIV. So far only one person has been effectively cured of the virus, the “Berlin Patient.” Ten years later, researchers believe they have cured another patient with HIV.
The “London Patient” and the “Berlin Patient” were treated with stem cell transplants from donors who were carriers with a rare genetic mutation, the CCR5-delta 32, which is resistant to the HIV virus. The “London Patient” has continued to be in remission for 18 months since ending antiretroviral drugs. In addition, to being in remission, tests have been run confirming that the “London Patient’s” HIV viral load is “undetectable.” A cure to the HIV virus would affect almost 37 million people worldwide.
“The HIV epidemic has resulted in the deaths of millions worldwide. A cure for HIV would save lives and prevent further devastation from HIV and AIDS,” said Vishy Kasula, Vice President of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).
