Man believed cured of AIDS says he's still cured

WASHINGTON — The first person believed to have been cured of AIDS says reports he still has the HIV virus are false.

1. More from TODAY.com
   1. Groom-less bride poses in sweet solo wedding photos
      

      One bride decided to pursue her dream wedding photos, even though her husband was stationed abroad in the Air Force.

   2. ‘A hot meal can make people cry’: BBQ volunteers comfort Oklahoma victims
   3. Joe Francis: 'Retarded' jury should be 'shot dead'
   4. Joy amid tornado's destruction as owners find lost pets
   5. PTC angry after Ke$ha drinks pee on TV

Timothy Ray Brown, also known as the "Berlin patient," says doctors have told him he's "cured of AIDS and will remain cured."

Brown had a blood stem cell transplant in 2007 to treat leukemia, using a donor with a rare gene mutation that provides natural resistance to HIV. Doctors declared him "cured" soon after.

But researchers in California recently found traces of HIV in his tissues. Brown says any remnants of the virus still in his body are dead and can't replicate.

Brown addressed the media in the U.S. for the first time Tuesday, appearing frail but energetic. He announced the formation of a new AIDS foundation in his name.

More coverage from AIDS conference:

Most teens use condoms, but sex ed cuts raise HIV worries

The female face of AIDS: 'Everyone's at risk'

Black gay men have higher HIV infection rates