Studies reveal that people who seek antiretroviral therapy (ART) right after diagnosis of HIV can reduce the risk of the disease and even the possibility of death. Those who start ART while the CD4 cell count in their body is still high will experience the positive results compared to individuals who wait for the cell count to drop to 350 cells/mm3.
University of Copenhagen's Professor Jens Lundgren revealed that 1.8% of the participants of the study who experienced a 57% reduction compared to the patients who received delayed treatments.
Based on the results of the research, Lundgren encourages everyone who has HIV to get immediate treatment regardless of their CD4 count to decrease the damage in the immune system.
The results of the clinical trials are helpful and promising information. Early therapy does not only reduces the risk of AIDS-related diseases but also applies for non-AIDS-related conditions, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.
The research included 1,171 heterosexual couples from different countries around the globe like Thailand, Brazil, Africa and the United States. The couples were divided into two groups and underwent in two different treatments. One group received early ART therapy while the others were given late treatments until their immune system deteriorated.
Even if the study showed beneficial results, a different challenge is now standing on the way. As Professor Lundgren states, "The data indicate that (early) treatment should be recommended for all HIV-positive people. Of course the challenge now will be how to get the 20 (million) to 25 million people (worldwide) not on treatment yet, on treatment."
Another disadvantage of the discovery is the danger accompanying the longer exposure to toxic cures. The wrong motives of the infected individuals also concern the authorities. Early treatment only motivates HIV patients to take advantage of the cure to benefit others instead of focusing on health.
The final results of the research were showcased at the 2015 Eighth International AIDS Society Conference which was held in Vancouver, Canada.
