Child treated for HIV at birth is healthy nine years on without further treatment

Researchers say case of child infected at birth but no longer displaying symptoms may spare others long-term therapy

A child who was infected with HIV at birth and given a short course of treatment has remained healthy for the last nine years without further drugs, according to scientists at a conference in Paris, in a case that could give hope to children born with the virus.

Researchers say they hope to learn from the case of the child, born in South Africa, to save others from having to take powerful daily medication as they are growing up and for the rest of their lives.