A baby who doctors hoped may have been cured of HIV infection is infected again, doctors reported yesterday, according to NBC News.

The child, who is now 4, had been regularly tested for the AIDS virus after undergoing treatments to cure her. The virus has not only returned, but showed signs of damaging to her immune system, researchers said.

"It felt very much like a punch to the gut," said Dr. Hannah Gay of the University of Mississippi, who had been working to cure the child.

"The baby has now rebounded with clearly detectable HIV viremia," stated Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

He added, "Certainly, this is disappointing turn of events for this young child, the medical staff involved in the child's care, and the HIV/AIDS research community."

The baby was born a mother discovered to have HIV only when she was in labor. The mom had never been treated for HIV before.

When the baby had clear evidence of HIV infection, a mix of three drugs were used in an attempt to cure her. The drugs as well as the doses used were effective, reportedly pushing her virus down to undetectable levels.

The girl had stopped taking her medicine after the doctors couldn't find a trace of the virus in her system, according to the Utah People's Post. The baby was able to remain off her medication for two years until the infection returned.

Despite the disappointment, medical professionals have remained positive that she was able to go without treatment for so long.

"The fact that this child was able to remain off antiretroviral treatment for two years and maintain quiescent virus for that length of time is unprecedented. Typically, when treatment is stopped, HIV levels rebound within weeks, not years," stated Dr. Deborah Persaud of John Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.