Potential for the transmission of HIV-1 despite highly active antiretroviral therapy
Article Abstract:
HIV patients who take drugs to suppress the virus may still be capable of transmitting it. A 1998 study found that seven men had virus in blood and semen cells even though the virus was undetectable in blood and semen. Even though the virus is not detectable in body fluids, it can hide out inside cells. Once the patient stops taking antiviral drugs, the virus can begin reproducing again. Sexually transmitted diseases that cause genital ulcers can increase the risk of transmitting HIV.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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Residual HIV-1 RNA in Blood Plasma of Patients Taking Suppressive Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Article Abstract:
Even highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) does not completely prevent viral reproduction in patients with HIV infection. Researchers used the polymerase chain reaction to identify extremely low levels of virus in blood and genital fluids of 22 HIV-infected people taking HAART. The technique found extremely low levels of viral RNA in all 22 patients. Viral levels in genital fluids were lower than in blood and were undetectable in 12 patients.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the semen of men receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy
Article Abstract:
Men infected with HIV may be capable of transmitting the virus sexually even though they are taking drugs to suppress the virus. Researchers analyzed blood and semen samples from seven HIV-infected men who were taking two reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor. All had no detectable levels of virus in their blood samples. However, four had viral DNA in their semen samples and in two, the virus was capable of reproducing.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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