Scientists say baby born with HIV apparently cured

WASHINGTON - Scientists say a baby born with the AIDS virus appears to have been cured thanks to faster and stronger treatment than is usual for newborns.

Scientists at a major AIDS meeting say the Mississippi child is now 2 1/2 years old and has been off HIV drugs for about a year with no signs of infection.

If the child remains healthy, it would mark only the world's second reported cure. Specialists say it offers promising clues for more research to fight pediatric HIV.

Doctors don't usually give high-dose treatment right after birth, before first confirming that a newborn really is infected.

Sunday's announcement in Atlanta suggests doing so in this case wiped out HIV before it could form hideouts in the body that usually reinfect anyone who stops medication.