The World Health Organization changes HIV 'drug advice'
If adopted, the recommendations will mean more people taking the drugs.Pic courtesy of BBC News
The World Health Organization is changing its advice on HIV drugs, asking that they be given sooner and to breastfeeding mothers with the virus.
Experts say the advice is based on the most up-to-date information available and will cut infection rates and save lives.
But it will mean many more people needing treatment, which will cost more money and time.
An estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV/Aids.
Demand
The World Health Organization (WHO) wants adults and adolescents to receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) before their immune system strength falls below 350 cells per cubic millimetre of blood, regardless of whether they show symptoms.
It also wants the drug Stavudine, widely used in developing countries because of its low cost and widespread availability, to be phased out in favour of Zidovudine or Tenofovir, which do not have the same long-term and irreversible side effects.
Read entire article here
Source: BBC NEWS | News Front Page
If adopted, the recommendations will mean more people taking the drugs.Pic courtesy of BBC News
The World Health Organization is changing its advice on HIV drugs, asking that they be given sooner and to breastfeeding mothers with the virus.
Experts say the advice is based on the most up-to-date information available and will cut infection rates and save lives.
But it will mean many more people needing treatment, which will cost more money and time.
An estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV/Aids.
Demand
The World Health Organization (WHO) wants adults and adolescents to receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) before their immune system strength falls below 350 cells per cubic millimetre of blood, regardless of whether they show symptoms.
It also wants the drug Stavudine, widely used in developing countries because of its low cost and widespread availability, to be phased out in favour of Zidovudine or Tenofovir, which do not have the same long-term and irreversible side effects.
Read entire article here
Source: BBC NEWS | News Front Page