Health
Co-Infection Information: HIV Treatment in TB Patients
Tuberculosis (TB) is a common possible co-infection in persons who are HIV positive. It is most rampant in countries that are underdeveloped. When a person has both HIV and TB, their treatment needs become more complex.
Recent studies have shown that starting treatment earlier in these patients can dramatically affect the outcome of such treatment. The study was conducted by Dr. Diane Havlir of the University of Californian San Francisco. After reviewing data from more than 800 individuals who had both HIV and TB, Havlir found that starting treatment in week two (versus week eight) improved the patients prognosis by nearly 40 percent, meaning patients experienced lower death rates or their rate of disease progression was slower.
It goes without saying that all efforts to better understand HIV and effective treatments are important to our community. For more information about this study, visit http://www.thirdage.com/news/hiv-treatment-should-begin-early-in-tb-patients_10-19-2011.
For more information about ARE’s services, or to learn how you can help, contact Janet Tinkham at 540-536-5293. This post has been provided by Victoria Kidd, freelance writer and owner of OMP Consulting Group. (www.ompcg.com)
Tagged (TB), AIDS Response Effort Inc, ARE, co-infections, Dr. Diane Havlir, HIV & TB, HIV infections, OMP, omp consulting inc, OMPCG, San Francisco, University of Californian, Victoria Kidd, Tuberculosis

