Posts tagged HIV healthcare
Low Cholesterol Helps HIV Immunity
10 years ago
Low Cholesterol Helps HIV Immunity: A Link that can Prevent AIDS Progression
With current HIV therapies, those who are HIV-positive can live for decades without the infection progressing to AIDS. The antiretroviral treatments given today greatly improve the quality of life for many. In the past, once a person became infected with HIV, it would only take 1-2 years for the infection to take hold and overwhelm the immune system. High mortality rates were a direct result of this quick-moving process. After decades of meticulous study, research and record-keeping, certain links have been discovered that could help fight off the infection within the body, namely low cholesterol helps HIV immunity.
While the average person once infected with HIV would manifest with AIDS quickly if left untreated, there is a small percentage of the population that could avoid this. Some could go as long as 10 years or more without HIV progressing to AIDS. Through careful documentation, the link may have been discovered. The common denominator seems to be low levels of cholesterol in certain immune system cells. The interesting part is that this level has nothing to do with blood cholesterol levels. It appears to be an inherent trait and is present even before an infection takes place. Seeing as HIV needs cholesterol within the cells to invade and replicate, low cholesterol helps HIV immunity by greatly slowing down the virus. The result is better protection against HIV and prevention of AIDS.
While researchers are not exactly sure how this works or why some have this trait, they are hopeful. By investigating further, a new way to treat and prevent AIDS could come about in the near future. The premise that low cholesterol helps HIV immunity has taken over a decade to deduce. Thanks to the painstaking tasks of monitoring and documenting what was observed through the years, these results could mean even better treatment options for those who are HIV-positive and possibly even help in preventing an initial infection.
Study May Result in HIV Treatment for Millions
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
A landmark study has shown that a smaller dose of HIV treatments is just as effective at suppressing HIV as the standard dose currently used. These findings may benefit millions of individuals who have never been able to receive treatment due to the expensive price of the drugs. Knowing that a smaller dose is sufficient may open the way for millions to receive the necessary treatments to control this disease for the first time.
Lower doses equal lower costs. Lower costs mean that current budgets for providing healthcare to HIV patients in developing nations will go further by reaching more patients. The study was conducted using people who are HIV positive from thirteen different countries. Individuals who could never have afforded treatment were able to get a reduced dose or a full dose as a part of the study. Half of the patients were given the standard dose, while the other half only took two-thirds of the standard treatment amount.
Over 600 individuals took part in the study altogether. After a year of treatment and observation, it became clear that reducing the treatment by one-third did not have any detrimental results for the patients. This is a huge revelation for the treatment of HIV in developing nations where the primary issue has always been cost of treatment.
As with many HIV research studies, this study was funded by a foundation set up by Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda. Gates’ donations, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, have been instrumental in continuing research and helping HIV-positive individuals receive the best care possible across the globe.
