The administration of an antibiotic to patients newly diagnosed his condition halve mortality in the early stages of the disease, the researchers wrote in an article published in the Lancet medical journal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and supports this treatment for years, and recommends daily use for the treatment of children with the virus. But experts warn that many people are not given the drug.

Prevention for those affected

Much of the battle of the pharmaceutical against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been focused on the development of antiviral medicines that can extend life expectancy significantly.

You can save tens of thousands of lives with a more extensive use of the drug, which costs a few dollars per day.

However, many patients experiencing the highest risk during the first weeks after diagnosis with multiple infections that threaten their weakened immune system.

Research has estimated that about one quarter of people who are on antiviral therapy programs in sub-Saharan Africa die within the first year of the disease.

But it was discovered that, if these long-term treatment is added the antibiotic cotrimoxazole (Antibiotics for AIDS), can prevent many deaths in people with a defense system most affected.

The Lancet study, conducted in 3179 Ugandan patients showed a reduction of 59% in the first 12 weeks, and 44% between weeks 12 and 72.

Unavailability

But the issue is not so simple, because the drug is not available in many places, say the authors of the study, by scientists from the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial College London, and centers in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Do not forget that there are still millions of people in Africa who need anti-viral and can not get them.

They stated that their findings reinforce the need for swifter action on the part of those responsible for treatment programs.

Professor Charles Gilks, who led the research, said that all the doubts about the effectiveness of the antibiotic and are now well dispelled.

“You can save tens of thousands of lives with a more extensive use of the drug, which costs a few pennies a day,” he said.

To make matters worse, this antibiotic has another benefit: it reduces the incidence of malaria by 25%.

High efficiency

Co-author Diana Gibb said it is necessary to accelerate the availability and supply of the drug and offer it to all new patients in the first 18 months.

But, said Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, head of the International Partnership against HIV / AIDS, access to this treatment is in itself an even bigger problem.

“Let us not forget that there are still millions of people in Africa who need anti-viral and can not get them.

“As the study confirms, antiviral treatment reduces the risk of death in more than 90%, and the antibiotic cotrimoxazole reduces it further.”

Therefore, Dr. Russell stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that all who need treatment can get it.

Incoming search terms:

Tagged with: •

Filed under: wellness

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!