WHO recommends earlier use of HIV drugs

Last updated 01 December 2009

The World Health Organisation has published new guidelines which recommend earlier use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in adults and adolescents with HIV.

Whereas previous guidelines advised doctors to prescribe ART when a patient's CD4 count fell to 200 cells/mm3 or lower - an indication of poor immune system strength - the new recommendations call for treatment as soon as a patient's CD4 count drops to 350 cells/mm3, even if they are not showing symptoms of HIV disease or are pregnant.

People with the virus should be given less toxic alternatives to the commonly used drug Stavudine and HIV-positive mothers or their infants should be given antiretroviral drugs while breastfeeding to reduce the chances of transmission.

The new guidelines were issued to coincide with World Aids Day (December 1st) and are based on 'the most up-to-date available data', according to Dr Hiroki Nakatani, WHO assistant director general for HIV/Aids, TB, malaria and neglected tropical diseases.

The expert added: 'Their widespread adoption will enable many more people in high-burden areas to live longer and healthier lives.'

WHO figures show that 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV/Aids.

According to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the number of gay men contracting HIV in the UK doubled between the first half of 2007 and 2009.

The figures have prompted calls from support group Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) for a renewed focus on prevention measures and an increase in HIV testing services.