December 13, 2011

Time Names HIV Treatment as Prevention the No. 3 Medical Breakthrough of 2011

In its “Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs” of 2011, Time magazine has listed HIV treatment as prevention at number three, just behind the use of cloning to create stem cells and a first-ever malaria vaccine. The magazine cites recent studies that show that an HIV-positive person who adheres to effective antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has less virus in his or her system, and therefore the likelihood of HIV transmission is reduced by 96 percent. The “treatment as prevention” banner also includes pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which is when an HIV-negative partner takes daily ARVs to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. These two breakthroughs in HIV treatment, experts say, offer more tools in the global battle against HIV. Treatment as prevention demonstrates that getting ARVs to HIV-positive people cannot only save lives but can curb the spread of the virus.

To read the Time article, click here.

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Previous Comments:

jeffrey, Tallahassee, 2012-01-04 18:20:20
I have read the article in the link provided and it does not discuss the 96% efficacy from the hptn-052. Please tell me if I am wrong. POZ states that "The magazine cites recent studies that show that an HIV-positive person who adheres to effective antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has less virus in his or her system, and therefore the likelihood of HIV transmission is reduced by 96 percent." I do not see this cited in the TIME article provided, although I have seen it cited elsewhere.

legolas613, Nashville TN, 2011-12-13 23:22:58
The only instances I see PrEP as a potetially effective tool is only in situations where there are a sero-discordant couple or if an HIV- person chooses to have sex with those that are known to be HIV+ or who like to bareback. On the flip side I am a barebacker, that's how I got infected but if I had a time machine and PrEP was available then, I would not opt for PrEP or change my risky behaviors that got me infected including condom usage.

In most situations PrEP 4 the masses is not feasable.

legolas613, Nashville TN, 2011-12-13 23:10:24
3. Gives the HIV- taker a false sense of protection, potentially influencing them to take risks that could lead to an infection. 4. Practicality issues.... HIV+ take ARV's out of life saving necessity. That fact makes a high level of ARV adherence much more achievable. An HIV- person does not have that motivation and I highly doubt there are very many who would be so obsessed to maintain an HIV- status that they would take Truvada with potential SE's daily with enough adherence to matter. cont..

legolas613, Nashville TN, 2011-12-13 22:58:15
This is not a breaktrough in my book. How long have we known about the reduced chance of getting an HIV infection if the potential source of your infection has a suppressed viral load? Nothing here we havn't known for over a decade. PrEP is not a breakthrough either in my opinion. One has to weigh the benefits vs. the risks.... 1. Very expensive drugs. 2. Truvada is not an inert substance as anyone with HIV taking it knows for themselves. ....cont....