July 24, 2007

Are We Starting Treatment Early Enough?

In this videocast from the International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney, Peter Staley interviews Dr. Fred Gordin from George Washington University, who explains why many experts think we might be waiting too long to put patients on HIV treatment. Dr. Gordin is also leading the effort to launch a large clinical trial called START, which hopes to determine if starting treatment at higher CD4 counts will save more lives.

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Christina DeNully, Dayton, WA, 2007-07-27 20:35:07
Starting meds in the first 3 years of contracting the virus gives you a longer life in my opinion. I started meds in the first 3 years because I had a child. I now have 2 kids that don't have HIV. In the 1st 3 years of infection you're body is learning how to fight off HIV. If taking the meds at that point you're immune system isn't working overtime to fight it off. I have had HIV since I was 15 I am now 28! Viral load is undetectable and CD4 is 896. Why? I never stopped taking the meds.

Christina DeNully, Dayton, wa, 2007-07-27 20:34:21
Starting meds in the first 3 years of contracting the virus gives you a longer life in my opinion. I started meds in the first 3 years because I had a child. I now have 2 kids that don't have HIV. In the 1st 3 years of infection you're body is learning how to fight off HIV. If taking the meds at that point you're immune system isn't working overtime to fight it off. I have had HIV since I was 15 I am now 28! Viral load is undetectable and CD4 is 896. Why? I never stopped taking the meds.