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WHO Reviews Antiretroviral Recommendations For Pregnant, Breastfeeding Women With HIV
The World Health Organization is reviewing its 2006 guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs by HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women because of new evidence that prolonged use can cut the risk of mother-to-child transmission, Reuters reports. Current guidelines recommend that these women receive a short-course antiretroviral regimen. However, a new study released at an international AIDS conference on Wednesday shows that a stronger regimen over a prolonged period significantly lowers the risk of mother-to-child transmission.The study examined 824 pregnant women in Burkina Faso, Kenya and South Africa who received either the standard antiretroviral regimen or a combination of three antiretrovirals. The combination regimen was administered during the last trimester and for a maximum of six months during breastfeeding, according to study leader Tim Farley of WHO"s Department of Reproductive Health. Farley said women who received the combination regimen during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding had a 42% lower risk of transmitting HIV to their infants than women given the standard course.Farley added, "The results of this study show an almost twofold reduction in the risk of HIV transmission during the breastfeeding period and also [show] there is no short-term toxicity" to the women or their infants. He said that participants will be monitored for any long-term health effects. WHO is expected to release the updated recommendations by the end of the year (Roelf, Reuters, 7/21).
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Overhaul Of Immune Response Modelling Following Cell Division Finding
Research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute into the mechanics of how two types of white blood cells grow and die is fundamentally changing the development of computer models that are used to predict how immune system cells respond to a pathogenic threat.
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Economic Recession, Emerging Diseases Should Not Replace Efforts To Fight HIV/AIDS, IAS President Says
Concerns regarding the H1N1 flu strain or the current global economic recession should not take attention away from the long-term fight against HIV/AIDS, Julio Mantaner, head of the International AIDS Society, said recently, VOA News reports. Mantaner said global health issues need to be "put ... into the proper perspective," adding, "No doubt that ... whatever new flu or any other epidemic that may show up the day after tomorrow ... is something that we need to respond to. But it cannot be at the expense of a proven, established killer" like HIV/AIDS. He said that although it is important to remain vigilant in detecting emerging epidemics and infectious diseases, "we"re (doing) ourselves a very serious disservice" when res are taken away from combating HIV/AIDS and given to "the next new potential epidemic."Mantaner said that although it is "clear that we failed to meet original targets" in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, there has been an increase in the number of HIV-positive people in developing countries receiving antiretroviral treatments from about 500,000 in 2003 to more than three million by the end of 2007. In addition, he said that antiretrovirals are "saving lives of people" and "preserving the social network, the family structure ... that is so severely compromised by HIV and AIDS." Despite this progress, Mantaner said that "[w]e need to recognize more [people] are being infected every day by a factor of nearly two than the number of people accessing antiretroviral therapy."Mantaner urged members of the World Health Assembly -- who recently met in Geneva -- to honor HIV/AIDS commitments, noting that the gains in fighting the pandemic cannot be reversed. He said that he is concerned the global recession, worries over the H1N1 flu and other "competing needs or hypothetical epidemics" could lead to donor nations "losing their interest" in fighting HIV/AIDS. Mantaner said that he is disappointed with President Obama"s recent $63 billion, six-year proposed global health initiative, adding that it falls short of his campaign promises. He said that IAS is asking leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations to "refocus their efforts" and "meet their commitments." He warned that if the commitments are not met, "[h]istory is going to judge us very harshly," adding, "We"ve been distracted by the epidemic of the day without recognizing that we have a killer within our midst that we can control" (DeCapua, VOA News, 5/21).
Sexual Health

Terrence Higgins Trust And Summit House Support Launch Centre For People With HIV In Sandwell, UK

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is teaming up with local HIV support service Summit House Support to launch Sandwell"s first ever centre for people living with HIV. The new centre will be opened by Heart FM broadcaster Steve Denyer at 12.00pm on Wednesday 3 June. Commissioned by Sandwell Primary Care Trust, Sandwell MBC and Sandwell Supporting People, the new centre will provide a welcoming space for the increasing numbers of people living with HIV in the region. Trained staff from THT and Summit House Support will offer counselling to people affected by HIV, information and advice on HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and provide local professionals with training around HIV/AIDS awareness. HIV remains the UK"s fastest growing serious health condition. The most recent figures from the Health Protection Agency show that, in 2007, 536 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the West Midlands area. In 2007, 3,267 people needed HIV care in the region, an 11% increase on 2006. Jane Morel, Regional Manager for THT in the Midlands, said: "Until now, people with HIV in Sandwell have had to travel to our centres in Birmingham or Wolverhampton to access services. It"s great that by forming this partnership with Summit House Support, they can now find the support they need right on their doorstep." Suzanne Callen, Chief Executive for Summit House Support, said: "The new centre is smart, comfortable and accessible, and combines the best services from both organisations. THT and Summit House Support will operate independently within the building, but we will continue to work closely together to develop HIV services in Sandwell." The address of the new centre is 1st Floor, Victoria House, High Street, West Bromwich B70 8EN. The telephone number for THT in Sandwell is (0121) 270 0755. The telephone number for Summit House Support is (0121) 270 0756. Notes Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK"s leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We"re here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. 1. Summit House works in partnership in Dudley and Sandwell to deliver professional, accessible, confidential support to people living with and affected by HIV in the community. We work to reduce the incidence of HIV transmission and decrease stigma and discrimination by increasing HIV awareness amongst the whole community. We provide a wide range of holistic support for people infected and affected, as well as community based HIV testing, Gay Men"s Project, HIV Awareness training for Dudley and Sandwell council workers and health/voluntary/community sector in Sandwell. Summit house is funded by Dudley and Sandwell PCT/MBC/Supporting people and the Big Lottery. Terrence Higgins Trust


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