Experimental Treatment
HIV Patients Benefit Greatly From Taking Vitamin Supplements
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in Experimental Treatment
Vitamin Supplements to Help HIV Patients
Taking vitamin supplements is part of a daily routine for many. However, when it comes to the immune system and HIV, they may also play a crucial role. Scientists have conducted long-term studies that show a marked improvement in the immune response of those with early signs of the virus.
There are certain nutrients imperative to the functioning of a healthy immune system. When that immune system is compromised such as by disease, those vitamins become even more vital. Research has indicated that a deficiency in the micronutrients that aid the immune system can be harmful. A deficiency in several nutrients could normally be found in patients who had yet to experience HIV symptoms, with the most significant deficiencies being those of selenium and vitamins B, E and C.
A study in Botswana followed over 800 HIV patients over the period of a couple years. The participants were divided into three main groups: A placebo group, one group that received all the nutrients in supplement form as mentioned above and finally one group on just a few select vitamins. All patients received this care prior to the start of antiretroviral therapy.
The results yielded showed the supplements to be beneficial. For one, blood tests remained at respectable levels; another benefit was the slowing down of the progression of the disease process. With a fortified immune system, symptoms manifested at a slower rate than without the supplements. Even though the study was conducted on patients in the very early stages of HIV, there was still a lower morbidity rate among those taking the vitamins and selenium. With this being an early treatment option that is both accessible and affordable, researchers are hopeful: This is one type of therapy that can be implemented quickly and which reduces the financial burden of treatment, especially in some poorer regions.
HIV Returns In Men Thought to Have Been Cured
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in Experimental Treatment
HIV Back for Two “Cured” Men
One of the brightest hopes for a cure to HIV has been dampened: Two men who had received a stem cell treatment thought to have cured them of the virus have seen it returning, the case dashing expectations that the stem cell treatment was a success.
While a stem cell transplant may not be a cure for the disease, it has been useful for experts who are considering the case. Hopeful researchers held their breath while both men received the experimental treatment in Boston and the disease seemed to disappear. The two men were also both afflicted with lymphoma, which is why they received the transplant. No sign of the disease remained after 8 months; many remained skeptical, and the men continued to be monitored to see what would happen. The first blow to the treatment came in August, when one of the two saw a reemergence of the disease. The other shoe then dropped just last November.
This cuts the number of cured HIV patients from four people down to just two. There was a man cured back in 2007 after receiving treatment for leukemia, followed by a baby cured in 2010, who was cured via strong antiretroviral treatments received just after birth. They are now the only two individuals to have the disease seemingly eradicated, with no resurgence after an extended period of time.
While many who receive treatment cease to have pathogens in their blood, the disease is well known for returning once therapy is stopped. Both of the men from Boston ceased treatments after the transplants; the first man had the disease return 12 weeks after stopping treatment, and the second man saw the condition return 32 weeks after discontinuing his.
As disappointing as the results are, this offers up more information on how HIV works. Research continues in order to find the reservoir that the disease hides in during treatment.
HIV Patients Fare Better Visiting Just One Clinic
10 years ago
“Continual and consistent therapy is better”—this is according to a recent study conducted on HIV patients and the clinics they visited. While most can appreciate why this is so, especially when it comes to the complexities involved in antiretroviral therapy (or ART), the importance of continuity of care is even more pronounced in these cases.
Patients and clinics were followed for a period of time to analyze the quality of care given and the compliance of HIV patients. It was found that most patients who visited different clinics received care that was, at times, less than adequate. Most of the time, care was inconsistent and patient follow-through was poor. This could be seen in higher viral loads in HIV patients who visited numerous clinics when compared to those who went to just one.
Those who were more likely to frequent various clinics were younger women normally in their first year of treatment. This practice of going to different clinics could be in part due to fear of social stigma, needing to seek treatment for diseases other than HIV, or other reasons. This trend worries researchers and clinicians alike—the quality of care and overall health of those HIV patients is at stake. The results of the study are now beneficial, meaning the system can now be altered to ensure that care is continuous and consistent. Making changes in order for clinics to provide better care means less ART errors and a lessening of viral load in new patients. Patient follow-through is likely to increase when they receive a measure of consistency, especially when it comes to complicated ART regimens.
As far as social effects are concerned, researchers are eager for a change in how clinics play into HIV treatment. If patients are not receiving, taking and following up with therapies and drug treatments, the risks of complications and transmission increases. Physicians hope that by making the system more efficient, these risks can be reduced.
Infectious Disease Specialists A Benefit to HIV Inpatients
10 years ago
Hospitalized patients face certain challenges when dealing with existing medical issues. For patients with HIV, the challenges can be critical if not handled expertly. This is especially true when they are admitted for medical reasons other than HIV. Infection, surgery or other issues or complications can throw off their ART or antiretroviral treatment. What can be done?
It has been reviewed that when a hospitalized HIV patient is seen by an infectious disease physician, the results are generally better. The complex regimen of HIV therapies can be confusing for staff members not used to regularly handling such issues. For these reasons, errors are often made, such as a wrong dosage or prescribing other drugs with ART contraindications. Infectious disease doctors and pharmacists can provide the required level of care.
Recent studies are showing that a great percentage of HIV patients seen by an infectious disease specialist report less errors than those who didn’t. Also the number of errors that were corrected or caught in time was remarkably higher. Due to education and familiarity with HIV therapy, specialists in the field are better equipped when it comes to managing certain aspects of inpatient care. In the end, patients required fewer hours of medical attention and demonstrated overall improvement in health when compared with HIV patients not seen by an infectious disease specialist.
In the case of medication and ART, pharmacists and clinicians trained in infectious disease evaluated, altered and administered drugs as needed. They were accurately able to determine risk and benefit for changes that were made. This type of consideration resulted in better management of medical issues with as little interference as possible with HIV therapies. These studies clearly indicate that there are indeed great benefits for an HIV patient to be under the charge of an infectious disease physician when admitted for other reasons to the hospital.
Effective Prevention for HIV in Women
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in Experimental Treatment
The sad facts point to a rise in the number of women who are infected with HIV. When compared to men, the percentage is remarkably higher. Even with modern treatment and certain preventative measures and therapies, the number of female victims is climbing. The problem lies in the economic state that many patients find themselves in, and certain cultural differences can also inhibit the use of certain therapies and prevention. Many patients stop or are inconsistent with their treatment as a result.
A recent development could help slow the progress of the virus by preventing spread of infection. With this information in mind, researchers are thrilled with the effectiveness of an intravaginal ring that contains an antiretroviral pharmaceutical. In tests that have been conducted in primates, the success rate was 100% in preventing transmission of the virus.
Besides its success in the lab, there are other advantages that researchers are hoping will prove beneficial. For example, the ring can last up to 30 days. There is a lesser amount of the drug in the ring than would be needed if taken orally in pill form. This helps to reduce cost and hassle, a great benefit to the majority of women needing treatment. The amount of antiretroviral drug that it administers increases, rather than decreases, over that period of time. This is due to the type of polymer used to make the ring. It expands in fluid, thus administering the drug in adequate levels while inside the patient.
Human trials are underway and researchers and physicians are hopeful. In time, adding other drugs, such as those used in the prevention of STDs and even contraceptives is a possibility. This would further widen the ring’s appeal and encourage consistent usage. For now, researchers await the human trials with high expectations.
