[chrisfinazzo]

> When we were kids, this sounded like the end of the world: a virus that attacks the immune system itself. It was so terrifying to hear about such a horrible disease that had no cure, and was so insidious that we couldn't even create a vaccine to stop it.

I was born in '86. Even into the 90's this line of thinking hadn't changed all that much. The attitude around most diseases and the like that had a 'social' component was best described as "shock and shame" - e.g, you're screwed long-term and society blamed you.

> In a few decades we as a species have found a way not only to completely eradicate it to undetectable levels (it still hides in cells to protect itself) but now we are at a monthly injection.

I was going to ask how this works until you answered the question for me (if it's undetectable, why isn't this considered cured?) Last I heard research is still trying to figure this out. At the same time, I can remember hepatitis C having a similar wrap in the 90's - 'you have it, and probably always will' - Mavyret/Epclusa changed that. It still blows my mind that the problem is pretty much solved at this point.

Hail Science.

[simonklitj]

I think the reason it's not considered cured is because if you go off of your meds it'll (might?) return and potentially gain resistance to the medication. So it's more like keeping it in check through active medication, not curing it away: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/hiv-treat....