Found 'functional cure' for HIV, say researchers from Hong Kong

Treatments must be taken daily and do not eliminate the infected cells from the body

A research team at Hong Kong University’s AIDS Institute says it may have found a “functional cure” to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in a major breakthrough that could see a new antibody be used for both prevention and treatment.

The research by the team, led by Professor Chen Zhiwei, comes as China is facing a growing epidemic issue among high risk groups, including men who have sex with men and sex workers. There are about 850,000 people in China infected with HIV, according to the U.N.-supported AIDS Data Hub.

The HIV virus disables the immune system and makes people far