4 ms·

It's awesome that this is possible. Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication, but this bodes w

It's awesome that this is possible. Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication, but this bodes well for future treatment of viral infections.

skj 9y ago
> Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication Even with your caveat, the fact that more than 1 million people died from HIV in 2015 is probably a good signal to not use the term "minor nuisance". https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html
- StavrosK 9y ago
  * In the developed world. Sucks for the developing world, hopefully we can cure it once and for all.
- throwaway18917 9y ago
  How many of those people knew they had it? How many of those people were being treated and were following their treatment plan correctly? How many of those people could afford to treat their HIV? HIV is not a death sentence if you treat it. It's not great, but it's not the '80s anymore either...
- John23832 9y ago
  > Even with your caveat, the fact that more than 1 million people died from HIV in 2015 Idk where you got that number from... From the article you linked, "In the United States, 6,721 people died from HIV and AIDS in 2014". That's out of "An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2013". Since 1/8 people infected with HIV don't know it (and subsequently probably develop full on AIDS and complications), it's fair to say that most of the deaths are due to lack of treatment. Edit: I see you were talking about worldwide, but that's still out of 36 million people living with HIV in the world.
- ShannonAlther 9y ago
  People who don't have access to truvada definitely aren't going to be getting cutting-edge gene therapy any time soon. And how many people died of type I diabetes in 2015?
  - skj 9y ago
    That's another condition I'd probably not call a "minor nuicance".
marchenko 9y ago
>Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication The cost of treating an HIV+ person in the US is roughly $400K over the course of their expected lifetime. This is more than a nuisance sum. HIV treatment can also significantly affect quality of life.It is not yet time to become blase.
- zaroth 9y ago
  Well, that just sets the market clearing price of the cure. The sum of money paid to acquire any cure is going to be anchored by the current cost of treatment. And certainly anyone who would pay $400k for a lifetime of "shitty treatment" is going to want to pay at least that much for the miracle cure.
joshstrange 9y ago
Sure if you live in the developed world and have insurance that covers Truvada or have a plan with a deductible at or under ~$3K you can get PrEP for free (With the free copay card that covers $3600/yr). But I've got friends who have higher deductibles and can't cover the difference and the card is only good in the US: > The Gilead Advancing Access® co-pay coupon card (“Card”) can be used only by eligible residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories at participating eligible retail, specialty, or mail-order pharmacies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. Product must originate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. You must be 18 years or older to use the Card for yourself or a minor.
camus2 9y ago
> Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance I don't understand how anybody can say that. HIV treatment is extremely heavy and has potentially horrible side effects that must be masked with other drugs that have their share of horrible side effects. This + the fact that many people get only diagnosed when they are terminally ill due to the nature of the disease. I'm not even talking about the cost of the treatment. Your comment is just horrible, whatever the intent was.
- adam_seeliger 9y ago
  Calm down SJW.
jtmcmc 9y ago
Of course that is a huge caveat and even then there is still significant degradation to the quality of your life.

skj 9y ago

> Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication Even with your caveat, the fact that more than 1 million people died from HIV in 2015 is probably a good signal to not use the term "minor nuisance". https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html

StavrosK 9y ago
* In the developed world. Sucks for the developing world, hopefully we can cure it once and for all.
throwaway18917 9y ago
How many of those people knew they had it? How many of those people were being treated and were following their treatment plan correctly? How many of those people could afford to treat their HIV? HIV is not a death sentence if you treat it. It's not great, but it's not the '80s anymore either...
John23832 9y ago
> Even with your caveat, the fact that more than 1 million people died from HIV in 2015 Idk where you got that number from... From the article you linked, "In the United States, 6,721 people died from HIV and AIDS in 2014". That's out of "An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2013". Since 1/8 people infected with HIV don't know it (and subsequently probably develop full on AIDS and complications), it's fair to say that most of the deaths are due to lack of treatment. Edit: I see you were talking about worldwide, but that's still out of 36 million people living with HIV in the world.
ShannonAlther 9y ago
People who don't have access to truvada definitely aren't going to be getting cutting-edge gene therapy any time soon. And how many people died of type I diabetes in 2015?
- skj 9y ago
  That's another condition I'd probably not call a "minor nuicance".

marchenko 9y ago

>Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication The cost of treating an HIV+ person in the US is roughly $400K over the course of their expected lifetime. This is more than a nuisance sum. HIV treatment can also significantly affect quality of life.It is not yet time to become blase.

zaroth 9y ago
Well, that just sets the market clearing price of the cure. The sum of money paid to acquire any cure is going to be anchored by the current cost of treatment. And certainly anyone who would pay $400k for a lifetime of "shitty treatment" is going to want to pay at least that much for the miracle cure.

joshstrange 9y ago

Sure if you live in the developed world and have insurance that covers Truvada or have a plan with a deductible at or under ~$3K you can get PrEP for free (With the free copay card that covers $3600/yr). But I've got friends who have higher deductibles and can't cover the difference and the card is only good in the US: > The Gilead Advancing Access® co-pay coupon card (“Card”) can be used only by eligible residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories at participating eligible retail, specialty, or mail-order pharmacies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. Product must originate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. You must be 18 years or older to use the Card for yourself or a minor.

camus2 9y ago

> Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance I don't understand how anybody can say that. HIV treatment is extremely heavy and has potentially horrible side effects that must be masked with other drugs that have their share of horrible side effects. This + the fact that many people get only diagnosed when they are terminally ill due to the nature of the disease. I'm not even talking about the cost of the treatment. Your comment is just horrible, whatever the intent was.

adam_seeliger 9y ago
Calm down SJW.

jtmcmc 9y ago

Of course that is a huge caveat and even then there is still significant degradation to the quality of your life.