2 thai females i knew who didnt take any medication passed away within 2 years.one was infected from her hubby ,he died before her and she got a 1million baht insurance payout as he was a civil servant . she then went on to infect another guy and he is on medication and surviving. the other was infected from a blood transfusion and passed away.this was 8 years ago when the drugs were not so easilly available and knowhow was sadly lacking . Now the drugs are easilly available and not so expensive.

some infected people have been on HAART for 10years or more and lead normal lives now. Doctors nowadays advise HIV sufferers not to cancel their pension plans .

Top Aids prof is on the case

NEW TESTS FOR HIV MIRACLE MAN

By Gemma Calvert

HIV miracle man Andrew Stimpson has begun crucial tests with one of the world's top Aids specialists—in a bid to find a cure.

The move follows our exclusive revelations that Andrew, 25, is the first person ever to have beaten the HIV virus, going from positive to negative test results within one year.

Our startling scoop sparked headlines and TV bulletins around the globe. And this week Andrew met leading Aids expert Professor Jonathan Weber at St Mary's Hospital, London, on the first step of research that may lead to beating the killer disease.

Gay sandwich maker Andrew, from Ayrshire, Scotland, said: "The professor told me all the answers may well lie in the blood I've already given to the Victoria Clinic in London when I had two positive HIV tests followed by four negative tests.

Baffled

"He's now going to carry out a thorough investigation of those samples. Then he might need to run more tests to see if there is something in my immunology which got rid of the virus."

Professor Weber, a principal researcher into HIV at Imperial College, London, said: "The key thing is more investigation of those very early tests, the three that showed positive."

Andrew's case has caused huge excitement among the 39.4 million HIV sufferers around the world—and has baffled medics. When he was first diagnosed with HIV in August 2002 Andrew feared the worst.

Having seen an uncle die from Aids, he even began planning suicide. But then in October 2003 came the dramatic U-turn.

And last week, after a year-long investigation by Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust, Andrew got the news he had been praying for — written confirmation that he was definitely HIV negative.

As the new hunt for a breakthrough began Andrew pledged: "I just hope I can help find a cure."

source: news of the world

same here ,patient i know has  been taking HAART for 7 years ,looks totally normal ,eats well, without HAART would have been dead years ago. she can look forward to a normal lifespan especially with new drug treatments coming along which will be easier to handle.

In thailand those who dont take any medication would be dead within a year or two.

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I'm curious as to how would you know that without drugs they would have died?

These are the Official UNAIDS/WHO 2004 statistics -

The number of HIV+ people in Thailand is 570,000 (end of 2003)

Estimated number of AIDS deaths in 2003 : 58,000

Number of Thai people recieving HIV+ medicines (2003): under 50,000

These statistics include the fact that if you have HIV and die of any one of about 15 diseases then its automatically counted as an AIDS death. Also that many people affected with HIV will be drug-takers, prostitutes or others with very compromised immune systems and/or dangerous lifestyles. They certainly dont prove your point that people who get HIV die within 1-2 years without medication.

You say that HAART saves lives, or extends lifespan without any proof whatsoever.

Gay sandwich maker Andrew, from Ayrshire, Scotland, said: "The professor told me all the answers may well lie in the blood I've already given to the Victoria Clinic in London when I had two positive HIV tests followed by four negative tests.

Baffled

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As am I! What's the difference between a gay sandwich and a straight one?

about two pounds probably!