Thursday, 25 February 2010 16:38
Two studies presented at the 17th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) found that people recently diagnosed with HIV, and some of those with high CD4 counts when they begin treatment, are likely to live as long, or nearly as long, as those without HIV. The findings, reported on aidsmap, highlight the importance of regular testing for HIV. If someone has HIV, early diagnosis means they can begin treatment sooner, making it more likely they’ll live longer and enjoy better health.
The first study, from the Dutch ATHENA Cohort, measured the death rate of 4,612 patients in the Netherlands newly diagnosed between 1998 and 2007 over, on average, 3.3 years. The study excluded those who had to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) less than six months after diagnosis or who had an AIDS-defining illness in the first six months. It found that:
Those diagnosed at the age of 25 have a life expectancy of 52.7 years (they would live until, on average, the age of 77.7) – just five months less than those without HIV. Men diagnosed at the age of 55 would live 1.3 years less and women 1.5 years less.
Read more: New Research On Importance of Earlier Diagnosis of HIV




Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is teaming up with Soho-based sexual health centre 56 Dean Street to launch a new workshop for gay men who have recently been diagnosed with HIV. The course, which launches on Tuesday 23 February, is free of charge and will run every Tuesday for six weeks.
Don’t let Cupid’s arrows make your eyes water, with new guide to passionate safer sex from THT.
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