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9 HIV Cure Myths Debunked

 

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9 HIV Cure Myths Debunked

by Allison Mathews, PhD

For-FacebookAndWebsites-Allison-Headshot-Graduation-UNC-Tarheel-Chapel-Hill-Kumolu-Studios-1A few months ago, a man living with HIV reached out to the 2BeatHIV project to learn more about HIV and HIV cure research. The 2BeatHIV project is a research project at UNC Chapel Hill that uses crowdsourcing to identify new ideas from community members, organizations, and businesses about ways to engage the public about HIV cure research. He told us that he was scared to get on medication because of all of the myths he heard about what the medicine could do to him. Specifically, some people told him that a bee sting could cure HIV. Unfortunately for this young man and others like him, myths about HIV cure do more damage that the actual disease.

Myths about HIV cure are fairly common around the world, including the United States. Indeed, there is a belief among some African Americans living with HIV (PLWH) that the government is purposefully withholding an HIV vaccine or cure from the public. Some PLWH also believe that dietary supplements and alternative medicine will cure HIV. Given the pervasive nature of HIV cure myths, it is important to know the facts about the current state of HIV cure research and try to address some of the most common myths.

Here are the 9 most common questions and myths we have encountered through our work and in US popular culture.

Myth 1: There is a cure for HIV.
There is no cure for HIV. There is one documented case of Timothy Ray Brown being cured, but we do not know how to safely replicate those findings in other humans yet. Check out searcHIV’s interview with HIV-cured Timothy Brown.

Image result for timothy ray brown
Myth 2: Scientists have never used Timothy Brown as a research case to find a cure.
Scientists are currently examining multiple strategies to cure HIV based on findings from Timothy Brown. This short video describes one of the strategies being explored at the HIV Cure Center at UNC Chapel Hill:

UNC Science Short: Can ‘kick and kill’ cure HIV?

Myth 3: Timothy Brown is the only person that can be cured.
You can learn about all of the clinical trials being done to develop a cure that can be used on a mass scale:

amfAR “The Countdown to a Cure for AIDS”

AVAC – Cure

The Body’s HIV/AIDS Cure Research Resource Page

Myth 4: Magic Johnson is cured of HIV.
Magic Johnson is not cured of HIV. He has repeatedly said he still has HIV and is taking medication to manage the disease. He is taking the same medication all people living with HIV are taking. His viral load is “undetectable” because he consistently takes his medication. Why Do People Still Think Magic Johnson Doesn’t Have HIV?

Image result for magic johnson

Myth 5: Having an “undetectable” viral load means someone is cured of HIV.
An HIV-positive person can achieve undetectable levels after undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, there is still HIV virus that “sleeps” in hiding places throughout the body. Once a person stops medication, they will experience a rebound of HIV viral replication. Scientists are trying to find a way to eliminate the remaining dormant virus so people will no longer have to take medication.

Check this article to learn more:
HIV-Positive and ‘Undetectable’: What Does It Really Mean?

Myth 6: Pharmaceutical companies are withholding a cure from the public to make money on treatment medication.
Pharmaceutical companies are investing millions of dollars into research to find a cure for HIV. They are currently investing millions of dollars into providing “HIV treatment as prevention.” This means that people living with HIV who consistently take their medication are over 90% protected from passing the virus to HIV negative partners. Pharmaceutical companies also provide an HIV prevention pill called PrEP, which can protect HIV negative people over 90% from getting HIV.

There will continue to be a market for HIV prevention, treatment, and cure as long as the possibility of infection exists.

Check this article that explains the role of pharmaceutical companies in HIV cure research:
The For-Profit HIV Cure Research Crunch

Myth 7: The government is using HIV to control the population.
The United States federal, state, and local governments have dedicated millions of dollars to HIV prevention and treatment over the past 30 years. Governments can, and often do, choose to partner with non-profits to do HIV-related work.

Check this site for a timeline of HIV/AIDS and the role of the US government in helping fight the epidemic.

Myth 8. A holistic diet and lifestyle alone can cure HIV.
While holistic medicine, spirituality, and a healthy diet can supplement HIV treatment, it is NOT enough to cure HIV. The virus attacks the immune system and needs anti-retroviral drugs to fight off the infection.

Read an explanation here:
Alternative (Complementary) Therapies for HIV/AIDS: Entire Lesson

Myth 9: Black doctors have already found a cure but it is being suppressed.
No one has found a cure for HIV yet. There is a diversity of doctors and scientists, including Black doctors from countries in Africa and those in the United States, who are examining multiple strategies to cure HIV across the world. Racial/ethnic diversity is welcome because people with different perspectives can help address the myriad issues related to finding a cure for HIV.

To learn more about how you can be involved in finding a cure for HIV, visit these websites:

2BeatHIV.org
amfAR.org
AVAC.org
delaneycare.org

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99 Responses to “9 HIV Cure Myths Debunked”

  1. LeDarrius C Turner

    Thank you for your valuable insight. I been suggested to try a few of these “cures” but always had my reservations.

    • Edgar

      You keep as someone’s paycheck for decades till you die.

  2. lol

    Just cause Pharmaceutical companies invest millions to research to the cure, doesn’t mean that they are not withholding the cure, how naive can this article be?! You invest millions to profit billions, it has worth to them. If they “found” the cure they couldn’t keep making new medicine to sell and profit this applies to cancer too.
    Nobody finds funny that every highly transmissive disease till date has a cure or has been eradicated and that the controlled diseases still haven’t been found a cure to them?

    • Allison Mathews

      True, pharmaceutical companies want to make money from developing a cure for any disease. However, it’s important to note that many diseases have cures and still have not been eradicated from society. There are many social, political and economic factors that influence the spread and continued existence of disease. We believe it will require an “all hands on deck” approach to really curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic — that requires governments, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, community based organizations, activists, people living with HIV, people affected by HIV, and other stakeholders to ensure equitable access to all medications. Additionally, even if there were a biomedical cure for HIV, we would still need to address issues like poverty, lack of access to education, stigma, and mistrust between researchers and community to prevent the continual spread and/or re-infection of those at high risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS.

    • Edgar

      Also it doesn’t mean they can’t fail. And their failing doesn’t mean others can’t succeeed.

  3. Leonard Smith

    I wil only believe our government when they produce facts , cure’s and proofs first hand once and for all to all the american people not to just the rich or who ever can afford it but to all the people who are in need.
    America owe’s it’s people at least that much. After all it has been said our government is the one who put the virus out there in the first place.

    • J F

      “It has been said”
      Try actually doing a bit of research on the origin of the disease. Takes probably 30 seconds.

      • https://talesbyterence.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/from-whence-does-he-cometh-hiv/

        something brief and spot-on on the origin from where this emanates!

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  4. Mohamed

    They say that black seed with honey can cure Hiv .. but you must take the treatment for 6 months .. why people are not trying .. try .

  5. William Vinton

    Antiviral DRUGS are the only thing that can treat hiv. Think about that. Medical literature states that a disease can only be cured by a drug. A toxic blend of damage and death made of chemicals foreign to our body. Whose the genius that came up with treating chronic diseases for decades while quality of life declines. Previous civilizations used sound resonance, vibrational frequencies , light and other natural modalities to cure yes cure disease. We are using barbaric and un intelligent treatments on our woman and children. Let’s put some egos in check, get rid of money and bring ourselves to a higher level of consciousness. Let’s cure each other not promote an existence of suffering

    • Anonymous

      Agree

      • Anonymous

        I hope there is no selfishness.. I know some people use this illness for money i dont believe they havent found the cure yet.. While there is plenty of persons who survive cancer… People need facts.. And to end this epedemic they need free medicine and if there is a cure just give it free to end this nightmare because not all can afford medicine.. Lets help each other for the sake of humanity

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  7. Martha

    There was a time when Magic Johnson’s HIV cure was a urban legend. So, after all these years, the virus is still there. Just dormant. I wonder why other famous people like Freddie Mercury didn’t use the same treatment to prolong their life. Was not this treatment available then?

    • Nikolas

      The medicines to treat hiv were not available until 5 to 10 years ago. In the early 1980’s they did not what virus caused the disease. Ten years later they were able to identify the virus but were still ten years from a medicine to put the disease in remission so that people could lead a normal life.

  8. Alex

    Lol y’all are wack. I bet you guys are antivaxxers and get the flu every year too because ‘oh drugs are bad pharmacy companies are bad doctors are bad!’ ??‍♀️

    Thank you for the sound article that doesn’t give in to conspiracy theories.

  9. Super Flower

    This article includes very good information. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing such an interesting piece of content. Keep sharing.

  10. Andrews

    I am HIV positive and undetectable. By thinking its killing me inside not able to continue and move forward. Can anyone suggest and cure for HIV. What is recent research saying about the HIV medicine and cure for HIV? or else we need to be like this only for ever? Very hard and paining to be HIV+

    • Edgar

      There is a cure. We can send you and you will get alright in 2 months +256756175497.

  11. Annualie

    So hard to be hiv+.

  12. MGWIN88

    Thank you so much for your best blog Many shares benefit many people.

  13. Donald Marvel

    myths about HIV cure do more damage than the actual disease, Very well said. Uniscolian

  14. N imtiyaz ahmed

    I have HIV

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    Thats a very nice post, i say thank you for share your knowledge with us, very kindly.

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  45. korosh solhi

    The information provided in the text is accurate and important in debunking common myths surrounding HIV cure research. It highlights the lack of a known cure for HIV, while addressing specific misconceptions such as the belief that Timothy Ray Brown is the only person who can be cured or that Magic Johnson has been cured. It also clarifies the concept of an “undetectable” viral load and the ongoing efforts of pharmaceutical companies and governments in HIV prevention and treatment.

    It’s crucial to address these myths as they can lead to misconceptions, fear, and hesitation among individuals living with HIV, preventing them from seeking appropriate medical care and treatment. By disseminating accurate information about the current state of HIV cure research, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions and encourage them to engage with healthcare providers for the best possible care and support.

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  46. korosh solhi

    The information presented in the text is both accurate and essential in dispelling common misconceptions surrounding HIV cure research. It effectively emphasizes the absence of a known cure for HIV while addressing specific myths, such as the notion that only Timothy Ray Brown or Magic Johnson have been cured. The text also provides clarification on the concept of an “undetectable” viral load and highlights the ongoing efforts of pharmaceutical companies and governments in the prevention and treatment of HIV.

    Addressing these myths is of utmost importance as they can give rise to misunderstandings, fear, and hesitations among individuals living with HIV, hindering them from seeking necessary medical care and treatment. By disseminating precise information about the current state of HIV cure research, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions and encourage them to actively engage with healthcare providers for optimal care and support.

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