The current risk of death in patients who successfully tolerate cocktail therapy is unknown. What is known is that up to 50 percent of patients "fail", or are unable to tolerate it. However, in those patients who are able to tolerate cocktail therapy, some pretty remarkable results have been achieved. The virus has been suppressed to below detectable limits in the blood of a majority of such patients, and except for frequent visits to the doctor, a regimented medication schedule, and risky side effects, these patients are able to live relatively normal lives.

One concern is that when people's lives return back to "normal", they stop taking their medication. Multiple studies have shown that patients who stopped taking their medications because the HIV in their blood was undetectable always relapsed. HIV is capable of hiding in the lymph nodes of the body so we don't necessarily see it in the blood. Some scientists feel that taking cocktail therapy for a long enough period of time (estimates range from three to 30 years) might cure some people with HIV. As of right now, though, there is no evidence to this effect, and no one has ever been cured of HIV.

The Future of HIV
In the future, it might be possible to cure HIV, but for now, holding it at bay is the best we can hope for. Vaccines are currently being developed by scientists both to prevent infection in the first place and to boost the immune system to help destroy HIV after infection. But none of these vaccines has yet been proven to work effectively, and none are close to widespread availability. Until a successful vaccine is created, abstinence or safe sex-and staying away from intravenous drug use-are the best ways to protect yourself from HIV.

For a testing or treatment center, contact:

National AIDS Hotline
(800) 342-AIDS (2437)

HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service
(800) 448-0440