Hello Friends, here i am mentioning some facts for people suffering really hard and still hiding themselves as the society does not accept them, for no reason.....don't be so cruel and rude have some sympathy.
Top 10 Things To Do In Life To Prevent HIV/AIDS
1. Use a condom - It is obvious, a condom can prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in more than ninety-nine out of every one hundred cases. This is true of latex condoms, but certain other types may not be as effective, and some which are created using lambskin or sheep intestine may allow the virus to slip through.
2. Never share hypodermic needles - Intravenous drug users often share the same hypodermic needles, and this can create a high risk for many infectious disease which can be passed along from one person to another. Hepatitis can also be spread in this fashion.
3. Eat a healthy diet each day - Proper nutrition can help fight off many different viral infections, by promoting a healthy body and immune system. If the daily diet is lacking in nutrients than the immune system may not work as effectively, leading to a viral infection.
4. Limit the number of sexual partners - HIV/AIDS is spread through sexual contact, so limiting the number of sexual partners can also help minimize the risk of catching this virus. Know the partners chosen very well, including their sexual history and if they were tested for any diseases. Celibacy is the only guaranteed method available to prevent catching a viral infection through sexual transmission, but if this method is not desired then keep the number of sexual partners as small as possible.
5. Avoid casual sexual encounters and one night stands - Casual sexual encounters have become common, but this practice creates a very high risk for infection with STDs because of the short-term relationships and variety of partners within a short time.
6. Don't use drugs or alcohol - Drug or alcohol use greatly increases the risk of unsafe behavior, and this behavior can lead to a disease or infection. These substances lower inhibitions, and can cause an individual to act in uncharacteristic ways and to take risks.
7. Take anti-retroviral treatment if exposed - Anyone who suspects any possible exposure to HIV/AIDS should immediately start treatment with drugs called anti-retrovirals. These medications may prevent the virus from multiplying or causing an initial infection.
8. Avoid high risk occupations - Certain occupations carry a risk of contact with infectious individuals or contaminated bodily fluids. These include doctors, nurses, paramedics, prison guards and correctional officers, police officers, and many other occupations. Public safety employees are frequently needed for accidents and injuries where blood or other body fluids and present, and if the individual is contagious these workers may be infected if precautions are not taken,
9. Male circumcision - Male circumcision has been scientifically shown to prevent the spread of viruses and sexually transmitted infections to men by up to 60%. This has caused many countries to encourage circumcision to minimize the risks of infection. When a male is infected, they frequently pass this along to female partners, so circumcision helps protect both sexes.
10. Avoid touching blood or bodily fluids from others whenever possible - HIV/AIDS is spread through contact with bodily fluids that are infected with the virus responsible. Always use all possible precautions before coming into contact with any body fluids. This can include latex gloves, face masks, and other protections available.
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FDA Announces Safety Concern Regarding Usage Of Anti-HIV Drugs, Invirase And Norvir
According to a recent press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), using Invirase (saquinavir) and Norvir (ritonavir) in combination may lead to heart problems in some HIV and AIDS patients.
Invirase is an antiretroviral drug from the class known as protease inhibitors. It is used to treat HIV infection, and is used in combination with Norvir to enhance its effects.
Recently acquired data suggests that using these two drugs together can cause a condition known as torsades de pointes, otherwise known as abnormal heart rhythm. This can also lead to a type of abnormal heart rhythm known as heart block. Symptoms of torsades de pointes include lightheadedness, abnormal heart beats, and fainting. Torsades de pointes may even lead to ventricular fibrillation, a potentially life-threatening and severely abnormal heart rhythm.
Preliminary reviews of the data suggest that patients who use medications that can cause heart disturbances may be at risk for torsades de pointes if they also use Invirase and Norvir.
So far, the FDA has recommended that patients using Invirase talk to their doctors before making any changes to their treatment regimens. Also, patients should report any unusual side effects to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
For more information please see the FDA Web site.
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Invirase is an antiretroviral drug from the class known as protease inhibitors. It is used to treat HIV infection, and is used in combination with Norvir to enhance its effects.
Recently acquired data suggests that using these two drugs together can cause a condition known as torsades de pointes, otherwise known as abnormal heart rhythm. This can also lead to a type of abnormal heart rhythm known as heart block. Symptoms of torsades de pointes include lightheadedness, abnormal heart beats, and fainting. Torsades de pointes may even lead to ventricular fibrillation, a potentially life-threatening and severely abnormal heart rhythm.
So far, the FDA has recommended that patients using Invirase talk to their doctors before making any changes to their treatment regimens. Also, patients should report any unusual side effects to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
For more information please see the FDA Web site.
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Study Raises Questions Regarding The Safety and Efficacy Of Interleukin-2 During Early HIV Infection
A recent study showed that interleukin-2 (IL-2), a signaling molecule that stimulates growth of disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system, induces a significant increase in the number of CD4 immune cells during early HIV infection of patients.
However, IL-2 therapy was associated with a higher rate of opportunistic infections, which take advantage of weaknesses in the immune system, and death compared to no treatment. The study was published in the journal PLoS One.
The addition of short courses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the IL-2 treatment did not further increase the number of CD4 cells compared to IL-2 alone.
ART, a combination of at least three antiviral drugs, is designed to suppress and stop the progression of HIV infection. However, it does not completely eradicate the HIV virus, and once started, the treatment must be continued for life, since interruptions or discontinuation can increase risk of disease progression or death.
The purpose of the study, known as STALWART, was to investigate whether IL-2 alone or in combination with short courses of ART would enhance immunologic response without the adverse effects of continuous ART.
The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of IL-2 in 267 patients not yet ready for continuous ART.
Participants received either no treatment, IL-2 for five consecutive days every eight weeks for three cycles, or the same IL-2 regimen with the addition of ten days of ART administered around each IL-2 cycle.
At week 32 of the study, the mean change in CD4 cells in participants not receiving treatment was -22 cells/mm³ compared to a change of +114 for IL-2 recipients. Participants receiving IL-2 plus ART showed a similar increase in CD4 cells to those receiving IL-2 alone.
Increased CD4 counts in IL-2 patients delayed the start of continuous ART. However, the amount of HIV virus in the blood stream was unaffected by treatment with IL-2.
Despite the potential benefits of IL-2, treatment with the drug was associated with increased side effects, opportunistic infections, and progression to AIDS or death, which calls into question the potential of IL-2-induced CD4 cells to fight disease.
Patients receiving IL-2 were more than twice as likely to develop moderate or severe side effects as patients receiving no therapy, and those receiving ART in addition to IL-2 were more than four times as likely. Common side effects included fever, nausea, muscle pain, and rash.
Overall, researchers believe that IL-2 might be an effective strategy to complement ART, rather than to replace it.
They also concluded that CD4 counts might not be the best way of measuring immune function in IL-2 recipients, since the efficacy of IL-2 induced CD4 cells is uncertain. Instead, researchers suggest it might be useful to differentiate IL-2 induced cells to more accurately measure disease progression in patients who have received IL-2.
To extend safety evaluations, participants in the study will be offered an additional two years of clinical follow-up.
Two other studies (ESPRIT and SILCAAT), designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of intermittent IL-2 plus continuous ART compared to ART alone, also concluded that the addition of IL-2 did not slow disease progression or prevent death compared to ART alone, despite increased CD4 cells.
Another clinical trial (ANRS 119) compared IL-2 therapy alone to no intervention and found that IL-2 recipients delayed ART initiation compared to controls and did not experience increased clinical events.
“We currently have no plans to carry out new studies with IL-2. However, other [signaling molecules] like IL-7, which are better tolerated, might be more interesting to assess,” said Jean-Michel Molina, principle investigator of the ANRS 119 study.
For more information regarding the STALWART study, please see the article in PLoS One.
However, IL-2 therapy was associated with a higher rate of opportunistic infections, which take advantage of weaknesses in the immune system, and death compared to no treatment. The study was published in the journal PLoS One.
The addition of short courses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the IL-2 treatment did not further increase the number of CD4 cells compared to IL-2 alone.
ART, a combination of at least three antiviral drugs, is designed to suppress and stop the progression of HIV infection. However, it does not completely eradicate the HIV virus, and once started, the treatment must be continued for life, since interruptions or discontinuation can increase risk of disease progression or death.
The purpose of the study, known as STALWART, was to investigate whether IL-2 alone or in combination with short courses of ART would enhance immunologic response without the adverse effects of continuous ART.
The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of IL-2 in 267 patients not yet ready for continuous ART.
Participants received either no treatment, IL-2 for five consecutive days every eight weeks for three cycles, or the same IL-2 regimen with the addition of ten days of ART administered around each IL-2 cycle.
At week 32 of the study, the mean change in CD4 cells in participants not receiving treatment was -22 cells/mm³ compared to a change of +114 for IL-2 recipients. Participants receiving IL-2 plus ART showed a similar increase in CD4 cells to those receiving IL-2 alone.
Increased CD4 counts in IL-2 patients delayed the start of continuous ART. However, the amount of HIV virus in the blood stream was unaffected by treatment with IL-2.
Despite the potential benefits of IL-2, treatment with the drug was associated with increased side effects, opportunistic infections, and progression to AIDS or death, which calls into question the potential of IL-2-induced CD4 cells to fight disease.
Patients receiving IL-2 were more than twice as likely to develop moderate or severe side effects as patients receiving no therapy, and those receiving ART in addition to IL-2 were more than four times as likely. Common side effects included fever, nausea, muscle pain, and rash.
Overall, researchers believe that IL-2 might be an effective strategy to complement ART, rather than to replace it.
They also concluded that CD4 counts might not be the best way of measuring immune function in IL-2 recipients, since the efficacy of IL-2 induced CD4 cells is uncertain. Instead, researchers suggest it might be useful to differentiate IL-2 induced cells to more accurately measure disease progression in patients who have received IL-2.
To extend safety evaluations, participants in the study will be offered an additional two years of clinical follow-up.
Two other studies (ESPRIT and SILCAAT), designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of intermittent IL-2 plus continuous ART compared to ART alone, also concluded that the addition of IL-2 did not slow disease progression or prevent death compared to ART alone, despite increased CD4 cells.
Another clinical trial (ANRS 119) compared IL-2 therapy alone to no intervention and found that IL-2 recipients delayed ART initiation compared to controls and did not experience increased clinical events.
“We currently have no plans to carry out new studies with IL-2. However, other [signaling molecules] like IL-7, which are better tolerated, might be more interesting to assess,” said Jean-Michel Molina, principle investigator of the ANRS 119 study.
For more information regarding the STALWART study, please see the article in PLoS One.
