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WHO suggests universal HIV tests
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by Amitjha | November 25, 2008 at 09:37 pm
68 views | 9 Recommendations | 5 comments
AIDS the most dreaded and socially unacceptable disease is taking the shape of epidemic.Millions of people are getting infected 'obviously not by choice but ignorence'every year.Any stepin this regaed is most welcome particularly in countries where the health care system is noy developed.
Universal testing for HIV, followed by immediate treatment could cut the number of people developing full-blown Aids by up to 95%, a new study says.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also found that such a strategy could virtually eliminate HIV transmission.
The study used computer modelling to project what would happen if everyone over 15 was tested every year.
But the WHO said that weak health care systems meant that universal testing was not a realistic idea.
Anti-retrovirals
At first sight, the results of the WHO study are a clear argument for universal HIV testing - it could become a run-of-the-mill medical check like those for high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Diagnosis and immediate treatment with anti-retroviral drugs could, researchers say, reduce cases of Aids in a generalised epidemic from 20 in 1,000 people to just one in 1,000 within 10 years.
Furthermore, the study continues, the strategy could virtually eliminate HIV transmission and new infection.
At the moment HIV testing and treatment are patchy, and while around three million people are receiving anti-retrovirals, a further 6.7 million need them.
But the WHO, while welcoming the study, warns that the feasibility of universal testing is challenged by weak health systems.
It adds that giving treatment to patients who are not yet sick may increase drug resistance, while the side effects of taking Aids treatment drugs for very long periods are as yet unknown but could be severe.
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Recommendations (9)
gerrypopplestone
London and elsewhere, United Kingdom
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
reno_fog
Reno, Nevada, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 22:02 on November 25th, 2008
good reporting
at 00:10 on November 26th, 2008
Thanks Reno, the universality of problem is there but we are not handling theHIV issue universely. Particularly when it comes to the profit making by the pharma industry by trading the soul of dying patient.
at 21:19 on November 27th, 2008
In a lot of ways I think this is finally starting to be implemented even in severe impoverished countries. I think a bigger problem we need to focus on is prevent and the efficacy of condoms. We need to teach safe sex and educate.
at 22:56 on November 30th, 2008
I am amazed at the number of people who have sex with strangers and yet dont use condoms. Even in countries where people clearly know th issues about HIV transmission, some peole seem to enjoy taking such risks!
at 11:26 on December 7th, 2008
With the current crisis in the world economy, HIV and AIDS funding and prevention programs are likely to diminish. I believe that effective prophylaxis and prevention education programs are the key. However, there will always be those who slip through the cracks.