About this page
This is an information page. We do not offer any treatment that claims to cure HIV, and we strongly advise against any clinic that does. If you are living with HIV, your antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most important part of your care. Never stop it without your HIV doctor’s advice.
How is HIV treated today?
HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART): a combination of medicines that stop the virus from copying itself. Modern ART is often a single tablet once a day, and long-acting injectable options given every one or two months are now available in many countries. The US NIH explains HIV treatment basics and the NHS describes HIV treatment in the UK.
With effective ART:
- The amount of virus in the blood (viral load) usually falls to undetectable levels within months.
- The immune system (CD4 count) can recover.
- Life expectancy for people diagnosed and treated early is close to that of people without HIV.
- Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): people with a sustained undetectable viral load do not pass HIV to sexual partners.
Why ART does not cure HIV
HIV inserts its genetic material into long-lived immune cells. Some of these cells become dormant, forming a “latent reservoir” that ART cannot reach. If ART is stopped, virus from this reservoir usually rebounds within weeks. Every cure strategy is essentially about removing or permanently silencing this reservoir.
The stem cell transplant cases: what really happened
A small number of people have been in long-term HIV remission after a haematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplant:
- The first, known as the “Berlin patient”, received transplants for leukaemia in 2007 from a donor with two copies of the CCR5-delta32 mutation, which makes immune cells resistant to most HIV strains. He remained free of detectable HIV for over a decade. NEJM report via PubMed
- Since then, a handful of similar cases have been reported (such as the “London”, “Düsseldorf” and “New York” patients), all of whom needed transplants for blood cancers. PubMed
- At least one case of remission has been reported with a donor without two copies of the mutation, which researchers are studying closely.
These transplants are dangerous. They involve destroying the patient’s bone marrow with chemotherapy and carry significant risk of death and severe complications. They are only justified when needed to treat a life-threatening cancer. They are not a practical cure for HIV, and the donor mutation is rare.
Other cure research
| Approach | Status |
|---|---|
| Gene editing of CCR5 or the HIV genome | Early clinical trials |
| “Shock and kill” (latency-reversing agents) | Trials so far show limited reservoir reduction |
| “Block and lock” (permanent silencing) | Preclinical and early trials |
| Broadly neutralising antibodies | Trials; some show delayed rebound |
| Therapeutic vaccines | Trials; no cure yet |
Mesenchymal stem cell or exosome infusions offered by private clinics are not part of credible HIV cure research. Be very wary of any provider who says otherwise. See is stem cell therapy safe?
How to spot a false HIV cure claim
Because a cure would be one of the biggest medical news stories in the world, any genuine advance appears in major peer-reviewed journals and is reported by organisations such as the NIH and WHO. Be suspicious if a clinic:
- Says its stem cell, exosome, ozone or “immune booster” therapy cures HIV.
- Asks you to stop or pause ART to “let the treatment work”.
- Cannot point to a registered clinical trial number (searchable on ClinicalTrials.gov).
- Shares testimonials instead of published results.
- Asks for large up-front payments for an “exclusive” protocol.
Stopping ART can let the virus rebound quickly, damage the immune system and lead to drug resistance. If you are interested in genuine cure research, ask your HIV doctor about clinical trials you may be eligible for.
Prevention: PrEP and PEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent infection and is highly effective when taken as directed. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency course started as soon as possible, ideally within hours and no later than 72 hours after a possible exposure. In Thailand, both are available through hospitals and specialist clinics.
HIV care for travellers in Thailand
Thailand has long-standing HIV services and has been recognised internationally for its prevention work. If you live with HIV and travel to Bangkok:
- Bring enough ART for the whole trip plus extra, in original packaging, with a letter from your doctor.
- Check entry rules for your nationality on the official Thai e-Visa site; see our travel and visa page.
- Keep your HIV doctor informed about any treatment you plan abroad, including regenerative procedures, because of possible drug interactions and infection risk.
How we can help
We do not treat HIV itself. We can:
- Arrange a health check in Bangkok for patients living with HIV, with results shared with your HIV doctor.
- Review whether a regenerative treatment you are considering for another condition, such as knee osteoarthritis, is safe alongside your ART and current CD4 and viral load.
Message us on WhatsApp with your question; your information is handled confidentially. Read our privacy policy.
Who should be especially cautious?
- Anyone offered an “HIV cure” outside a registered clinical trial.
- Anyone advised to stop ART for an experimental therapy.
- People with a low CD4 count considering any elective procedure abroad, because infection risk is higher.
Safety note
Where we arrange regenerative procedures for other conditions, cells are prepared in ISO 9001:2015-certified partner laboratories and procedures are performed by Thai Medical Council-licensed doctors. Please read our medical disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cure for HIV?
There is no cure available to the general public. A small number of people have had long-term remission after stem cell transplants performed to treat blood cancers. These transplants are high-risk and are not offered as an HIV treatment.
Can stem cell therapy cure HIV?
Not in the way clinics sometimes imply. Remission cases involved bone marrow transplants from donors with a rare CCR5 mutation, done to treat cancer. Mesenchymal stem cell infusions do not cure HIV.
What does undetectable equals untransmittable mean?
People living with HIV who take ART and maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to sexual partners. This is supported by large international studies and endorsed by major health authorities.
Can I get HIV treatment in Thailand?
Yes. Thailand has well-established HIV services, and international patients can access testing, ART and PrEP through hospitals and clinics. Continuity of medication with your home doctor is essential.
Do you offer HIV cure treatments?
No. We do not offer any treatment claimed to cure HIV. We can help international patients with general health checks and point them to established HIV care. Always continue your ART.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor. Results vary and no treatment outcome can be guaranteed. We are a patient coordination service and may receive a referral fee from partner medical providers. See our medical disclaimer and referral disclosure.