Global Trial Finds HIV Drugs Should Be Taken Right After Diagnosis
Global Trial Finds HIV Drugs Should Be Taken Right After Diagnosis
Those who started medications early fared better than those who waited until immune systems weakened
They do so for a variety of reasons, said Dr. Tanya Ellman, an HIV specialist and instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Those without symptoms may worry about side effects of the medications, although the latest drugs "are much better tolerated than those from earlier years," she said. In addition, "clinicians may delay therapy if they are concerned a patient is not ready to take medications consistently," she added. "Inconsistent use will not effectively control the virus and can lead to the emergence of drug resistance," a condition in which the disease develops the ability to evade control by medication.
Ellman said the new findings support the existing federal guidelines and may lead to an expansion of WHO recommendations, which are due for an update.
Still, she said, in many places around the world, most patients aren't diagnosed until their immune systems are weakened, "making early diagnosis and more effective testing a high priority."
HIV Drugs Should Be Taken Right After Diagnosis
Those who started medications early fared better than those who waited until immune systems weakened
They do so for a variety of reasons, said Dr. Tanya Ellman, an HIV specialist and instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Those without symptoms may worry about side effects of the medications, although the latest drugs "are much better tolerated than those from earlier years," she said. In addition, "clinicians may delay therapy if they are concerned a patient is not ready to take medications consistently," she added. "Inconsistent use will not effectively control the virus and can lead to the emergence of drug resistance," a condition in which the disease develops the ability to evade control by medication.
Ellman said the new findings support the existing federal guidelines and may lead to an expansion of WHO recommendations, which are due for an update.
Still, she said, in many places around the world, most patients aren't diagnosed until their immune systems are weakened, "making early diagnosis and more effective testing a high priority."
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