Posts tagged controlling HIV
Increased HCV in HIV-Positive MSM
9 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Prevention
Disturbing increases in the number of Hepatitis C infections among certain groups have researchers scrambling to find an effective means of combating it. The virus that causes Hepatitis C (HCV) is blood borne, making injectable drug use a common way to contract the infection. The latest trend, though, is not among people who inject drugs. It is among men who have sex with men (MSM) and are HIV positive. Just why this is happening and how to curb the upward swing in HCV numbers is what researchers are looking into controlling HIV.
Of course, people who inject drugs are certainly at risk for infection, so for the studies that had been performed on this topic, only those who did not abuse injectable drugs were followed so as not to skew the results. Unfortunately, throughout the last decade or so, the number of HIV-infected MSM who have contracted HCV had steadily increased. The problem is that, in recent years, those numbers have increased at a more rapid pace than had been previously predicted.
One risk factor has to do with those who abuses non-injectable drugs. Such drugs as methamphetamine also increased the risk for HCV infection nearly 29 fold. During the studies, a number of participants had repeat HCV infections. These individuals are 20 times more likely to be re-infected. They would contract the virus, seek out treatment, but then contract the disease once again. Not surprising then, high-risk sex behavior and drug abuse saw the highest increases when it came to Hepatitis C.
Projected numbers are not promising for the future either. Currently, out of 1,000 HIV-positive MSM about 20 will present with a Hepatitis C infection over the course of one year. The number of new HCV infection cases is only going to increase. Many believe that this is in part due to lack of education and prevention programs. Just what needs to be taught and which types of programs would prove effective remains to be seen. Education about safe sex practices and drug abuse are being developed to target this growing population. Further study on the matter is underway for controlling HIV.
Saving Lives With “Test and Treat” Strategy for HIV-Infected Individuals
9 years ago
Antiretroviral Therapies have proven to help those who are HIV positive to enjoy a happy and full life. Those receiving treatment can have relatively normal lifespans. Decades of research and testing has made this outcome possible. Yet, there are many worldwide who are infected but who do not receive regular care or treatment. This causes a rise in mortality and poorer quality of life. So, in an effort to reach out and ensure that everyone is tested and treated without some falling through the cracks, a program was instituted in one region that had promising results as a HIV treatment as prevention approach.
A ‘test and treat’ method was applied to one area where HIV care was lacking. Program goals were to make testing and treatment simpler and faster while at the same time reducing the time between testing and therapy. Participants were tested for HIV along with a CD4 count and received results during the same visit. Included in that initial visit were both counseling prior to treatment and eligibility for antiretroviral therapy.
Faster Treatment Saves Lives
The time between HIV infection confirmation and the beginning of a patient’s therapy was greatly reduced – down to around five days – where previously it hovered at almost two months. Due to the efficient manner in which these cases were handled, the numbers showed that more patients received their treatments and followed through. Even better was how drastically the mortality numbers fell. One estimate puts the mortality rate at 13%, where before it was nearly 40%. When the program started little information had been gathered on the HIV positive population. This made it a bit more challenging to determine just how successful the test and treat method was. Undeniably, however, it met with great results that instill confidence in this type of streamlined care.
The success of this program highlights the need to implement HIV treatment as prevention in other areas. Some revision may need to take place so that it fits the needs of the region. Another matter meriting consideration is the cost. Researchers figured that for each patient who survived, the cost was US$235. This basically covered the first year of treatments and intervention. So from a financial standpoint, the cost is minimal compared with the outcome, making the program one that is feasible just about anywhere.
DC Proves Needle Exchanges Have Value for Prevention
9 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Prevention
Sometimes, less is more. For HIV prevention programs, this is truly the case in needle exchange programs. One simple idea, in concept and execution, has saved one city millions of dollars and has prevented over 100 new cases of HIV in just two short years.
The needle exchange program is one of the easiest ways to help prevent HIV (and other viral infection) outbreaks and new cases in general. Along with that, it is by far one of the most cost effective tools on the war front against AIDS today. The program’s success is also helping in the ongoing debate over program funding. One study has put that success into numbers.
Simple idea, big results – that sums up the program. Basically, patients who need prescription medications that are administered via needles must return their used needles before they are given their next doses. For a while, the government aided in the funding for these and similar programs. Congress placed a ban on programs such as this in 1998. The ban prohibited the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs. States and their cities were, of course, allowed to use their own funds to support the programs, but many were unable to do so.
In late 2007, this ban was lifted in DC. Almost immediately, the Department of Health reinstituted the needle exchange program and programs for HIV testing, plus programs for aid addiction treatment. Once the ban lifted and the programs went into effect, researchers began to track the programs’ progress.
When comparing the numbers, from those during the ban to those after, impressive results were seen. The team first determined how many new injection drug use (IDU) cases presenting with HIV has occurred. Using the information they had gathered, an estimated 296 cases of HIV would have presented during two more years of the program funding ban. This is compared to the 176 injection drug users who did become infected with HIV with the programs in effect. Lifting the ban saved over 100 people from possibly contracting HIV in just two short years! There are financial benefits as well. Treatment for 120 people would have cost millions. It is estimated that taxpayers saved $44.3 million.
DC is not the only area benefiting from these types of programs. Regions across the US are reporting similar results.
The Effect of Contraceptives on HIV Transmission
9 years ago
Ongoing debates over injectable contraceptives for HIV prevention, and the idea that there is an increased risk of contracting HIV when using such, have been escalating. Researchers have found their studies inconclusive – some reports show that risk increases and some claim that it does not. So why the discrepancies, and what is the biological reason for such findings?
To start, the contraceptive being accused of aiding the transmission of HIV is known as Depo-Provera or DMPA. Reports that it increases the risk for HIV infection are growing, yet studies come up with data that is contradictory. To determine the real risk, along with an explanation, a thorough investigation was made. Over 800 women were analyzed. All started out HIV free and were enrolled in family planning clinics. The women were divided into three groups. One group used oral contraceptives, the other DMPA, and the final group did not use hormonal contraceptives. Later, 200 of the participants became infected with HIV. A look at the vaginal flora of the women within each group gave researchers the explanation they had been searching for.
For each group, there were those with a healthy vaginal environment and those with infections from either parasites, bacteria, or fungi. Further, it was confirmed that those taking the DMPA contraceptive presented with more changes to the immune system, which meant more vaginal infections, increased inflammation, and an increased risk of contracting HIV. The compromised vaginal state proved a poor resistor to infection, including contracting HIV. Certain protein levels are known to attract and aid HIV in spreading. However, the results of this study also showed that certain oral contraceptives could alter the immune system or suppress it. This too can lead to environmental changes within the vagina that can lead to easier transmission of HIV.
It is the hope of those researchers that the information from this study will move institutions to educate their patients and their partners. That way individuals can make informed choices about the types of contraceptives they decide to use, especially for HIV prevention. Thus, spread of HIV can be slowed and hopefully, in many cases, prevented.
Studies Show Fewer Gay Teens Seek HIV Testing
9 years ago
There is a reason that HIV is once again on the rise for young homosexual men. A recent study revealed that only about 20% of individuals in this high-risk group have ever been tested for the disease. Testing is critical for multiple reasons. For example, it can aid in the prevention of further transmission as well as get the infected individual lifesaving treatment. So why are so few getting tested?
“Where Can I Get an HIV Test?”
One of the primary reasons that young gay men say they have never been tested is because they simply do not know where to go for testing. One suggestion is that schools begin to provide testing, so that teens do not need to look for a place to get tested.
“What If Someone Sees Me?”
No one wants to be known as the kid at school with HIV. It is still tough enough for many gay teens to be known as a homosexual. Now add to that the stigma of being seen going for testing. It sends a message that kids don’t want to broadcast in world full of bullies and fearmongering.
“It Will Never Happen to Me”
Most teens feel invincible. They may say, “I take precautions. I’ll never get it,” or, “I know my partner isn’t infected.” Unfortunately, that sort of thinking is the perfect breeding ground for the spread of HIV.
The Wrong Trend
In 2008, a study of gay 18 and 19-year-old males showed that three-quarters had been tested for HIV. The drop in the number of young men getting tested has fallen significantly in just a few short years. This is a big deal when we’re talking about the single highest-risk group on the planet for the contraction of HIV.
Researchers see knowledge and ease of access as the primary means to combat this negative trend. Providing testing in schools would take away some of the stigma and make it easier for teens to get tested. This, in turn, can lead to greater prevention and earlier treatment, something vital for a high success rate.
