Petrelis Files

GCN: 1-Year On; NYC Super HIV Case. How's the Patient?

Duncan Osborne
Gay City News
New York, NY

Hey Duncan:

Just read your update on the alleged super HIV case from last year.

Has it really been a full twelve months since Dr. David Ho, the NYC health department and the NY Times all sounded alarms about the one guy in NYC who was resistant to all known AIDS drugs? As you well know, the HIV-related hysteria in this matter began on Feb. 11 last year, and lots of homo-sex panic buttons were pushed as well.

Glad you've addressed some very necessary questions about the matter, but you didn't mention anything about the patient. The last I read he was taking mega-cocktail and doing well enough on some drugs.

Any idea how he's doing?

By the way, with the one year anniversary of the super HIV scare approaching, I am doubtful any mainstream or gay press will revisit the issue, so I laud your story as the _only_ article to delve into the case at this juncture.

Best,
Michael

Reply from Duncan:

Thank you, Michael. As you know, HIPPA prevents the man's doctor and some others involved in the case from discussing the patient so I know next to nothing about the man. Last I heard he was responding to medication with an increased T cell count and dramatically reduced viral load. In fact, he responded very rapidly to treatment. New York magazine reported last year that he had returned to work. The short answer is I don't know how he is doing currently.

Duncan Osborne