The effects on survival of early treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

Individuals infected with HIV-1 who begin zidovudine (AZT) treatment early in the infection may survive longer and develop AIDS later than those who do not. Treatment to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia may also delay the development of AIDS and death. A study followed 2,162 men infected with HIV-1 and 406 men who became positive for HIV-1 infection during the study for six, 12, 18 and 24 months. At six, 12, 18 and 24 months, fewer deaths occurred among men treated early with zidovudine with or without preventative treatment for PCP than among those who were not treated with zidovudine until they developed AIDS. Early treatment with zidovudine alone reduced the number of deaths at six, 12, and 18 months, but not at 24 months. At 18 and 24 months, fewer deaths occurred among those who had preventative treatment for PCP early during the course of HIV-1 infection than among those who were treated late.

Health aspects, Zidovudine

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Does Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis still need to be lifelong?

Article Abstract:

It may be possible to stop giving HIV patients drugs to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) if their immune systems respond to combination antiretroviral therapy. Combination antiretroviral therapy usually includes protease inhibitors, and this treatment has led to improved immune responses in many HIV patients. A 1999 study found that patients with CD4 counts of 200 or more did not develop PCP even when they stopped taking drugs to prevent the condition. However, some patients with CD4 counts of 200 may still have risk factors for PCP, and it isn't clear whether other preventive drugs can be discontinued.

Care and treatment, Physiological aspects, HIV patients, Drug therapy, Combination, Combination drug therapy

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Discontinuing Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis

Article Abstract:

Two studies published in 2001 show that HIV patients whose CD4 T cell counts increase in response to antiretroviral therapy can safely stop taking drugs to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. This will save money and also prevent Pneumocystis carinii from becoming resistant to these drugs.

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