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More evidence of the benefits of early HIV treatment

Category: HIV

New research is adding to existing evidence that the earlier people get antiretroviral treatment for HIV, the better their chances are for an increased survival rate.

The finding, which was published online this week in the Lancet, stated the CD4-count threshold for therapy should be at 350 cells per microliter of blood. CD4 levels are widely considered as an indicator of HIV's advance in the body.

Jonathan Sterne, of the University of Bristol in the U.K., found that if therapy is deferred until the CD4-cell count reaches below 350, there is a 28 percent higher rate of AIDS and death when compared to patients who received the treatment earlier.

"Unfortunately, many patients are not diagnosed with HIV until their CD4 count has fallen well below 350 cells per microliter, sometimes even below 200 cells per microliter," the researchers wrote. "It is important that people at possible risk of having HIV get tested regularly so that if found to be infected, they can receive the necessary care and treatment."

Some people have opted to get an STD test online in order to keep their personal health matter to themselves.