Delhi man develops Stevens-Johnson syndrome after taking AI-advised HIV drugs

Exam-focused facts from the 1 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

A 45-year-old man in Delhi was admitted to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML Hospital) in critical condition after self-administering HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.
The patient developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare and life-threatening reaction that causes extensive skin and mucosal damage.
The medication was purchased over the counter from a local chemist without a prescription, based on advice generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chat platform.
National guidelines stipulate that HIV post-exposure prophylaxis must be initiated within 72 hours of potential exposure and requires a strictly monitored medical regimen.
Doctors at RML Hospital stated that the specific drugs consumed by the patient are no longer routinely prescribed due to revised treatment protocols.