Many patients with HIV are accessing treatment once their health has declined and the disease has progressed, according to a new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (eurekaalert.org, 10/25).
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore analyzed data from 1990 to 2006 collected from more than 3,300 patients. They found that men were more likely than women to begin receiving care more quickly after being diagnosed with HIV. All groups surveyed except men who have sex with men showed increased levels of disease progression by the time they started treatment.
Researchers say that the results are an indication that the gap between when people are infected with HIV and when they are tested for it may be growing.
Early treatment can help prolong the lives of HIV-positive people and help limit the transmission of the virus from one person to another. The study authors say that new strategies are needed to ensure that people get tested and receive care earlier, if necessary.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
