Question
Can the body naturally eradicate HIV?
16 September 2013. Related: All topics, Cure.
Been reading research about how our bodies could naturally rid the HIV virus and the need for meds may not be necessary. Been on Atripla for nearly two years after I contacted HIV three months prior.
Would taking another HIV test confirm my feelings? My CD4 has never dropped below 500 and is now over 1,000. My VL has been undetectable for almost two years now. I believe I am cured.
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your email.
I would be interested to see the research you have been reading.
Unfortunately it is not true that the body can get rid of HIV without treatment. Even with HIV drugs we are only able to control the virus not to eradicate it.
If you did test again for HIV the result would still be positive. HIV tests look for antibodies, which are the body’s response to the HIV virus. Even with an undetectable viral load you will still have these antibodies in your blood and you will still test HIV positive.
Hi Greg,
When someone is positive, they will always tests positive. This is even if they are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load.
I know someone close to me who is HiV postiive and was diagnosed with AIDS. After a few months of HAART therapy, and becoming undetecable, they still test HIV positive according to the lab. However, the HIV antibody test is negative. But the HIV antigen test is postiive. This person also tested negative on HIV saliva tests. What you make of that?
Hi Yak,
There is no cure for HIV. If you are on treatment you could have a viral load test that came back ‘undetectable’ but you would not be cured. When you stop treatment your viral load would increase again.
What after sometimes on ARV you go for HIV test and your result came out negative would that result be reliable? I’ve heard people giving testimony on how they’re healed of HIV .