In the history of HIV/AIDS, March of 2019 will be remembered for the announcement that, twelve years and many failed attempts after the first cure, a second person has been cured of AIDS.

In 2007, Timothy Ray Brown, now 51 and living in Palm Springs, became known as the “Berlin Patient” when he was cured of both AIDS and cancer by a bone marrow transplant. A second man, known only as the “London Patient” has been cured through the same difficult procedure carrying frightening complications.

Scientists temper our euphoria over the possible vanquishing of HIV by reminding us that the successful transplants are risky, often life-threatening, and not easily replicated. On the other hand, this second cure demonstrates that even though we are probably many years away from a wide spread cure, a road to it has been identified.

What is the reaction to this news in South Florida where new infection rates continue to lead the nation at an alarming rate?  

Steve Stagon, founder and current board member of the World AIDS Museum in Wilton Manors says, “It was exciting to hear about the London Patient, but not as exciting as the original Berlin Patient.  I’m actually surprised it took so long to duplicate those results.

“In our HIV support group we’ve extensively discussed and researched the Berlin Patient and why this worked for him, and why it’s not a practical application for a general cure. It’s simply too dangerous. The HIV infection rate in South Florida is among the nation’s highest, but I think Broward County is taking the necessary steps to reduce that through testing, treatment, PrEP, and PEP.”

When asked if he believes he will live to see a cure for HIV/AIDS, Stagon says, “I take this news very skeptically and realize that it’s only a cure for a select group of people also infected with another disease that requires a bone marrow transplant. There are two basic types of ‘cures,’ an eradication cure that would remove all virus from the body, versus a functional cure that would remove HIV from the blood and remove any negative effects like developing AIDS or premature aging. I don’t believe I will live to see an eradication cure but I might see a functional cure. I am very grateful for the drugs we currently have and the improvements that have been made to them over the last 20+ years, and I’m looking forward to the next generation of drugs such as monthly injections instead of daily pills, and less toxic drugs.”    

Lorenzo Robertson, Prevention Interventions Coordinator at The Pride Center Equality Park, says, “It sounds like this could be a game changer, but only if the process can be replicated more frequently and with more diversity in the future recipients of this ‘cure.’ As a same-gender-loving man living with HIV/AIDS, I am extremely excited for myself and the many others who are thriving with HIV/AIDS.”

When asked if this news will impact the problem of “stigmatization” of those with HIV/AIDS, Robertson says, “No, because the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS will still exist even after there is a cure. The stigma is about how people are viewed and labeled because of their behavior or perceived behavior. It has less to do with the virus and more to do with how people are judged morally.” Stagon adds, “The stigmatization of HIV/AIDS is primarily caused by silence. The London Patient brought HIV/AIDS back into the news temporarily, but it will take a lot more to significantly reduce the stigmatization of those with the virus.”

How should we read the headlines about a cure for HIV/AIDS? With cautious and realistic optimism.