Treatment Now Recommened for All with HIV

SYDNEY - Sept. 15, 2015 - PRLog -- Based on the results from two large trials, the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) Sub- Committee for Guidance on HIV Management in Australia strongly recommends that all people with HIV, regardless of their viral load or CD4 count, consider starting HIV treatment.

The two international trials – START and TEMPRANO – have clearly shown that the benefits ofstarting antiretroviral therapy (ART)outweighs potential treatment side effects, even when someone is well with a high CD4 cell count. These studies add to previous studies showing that the risk of passing HIV onto another person is also dramatically reduced with the use of antiretroviral therapy.

“This recommendation provides Australians with HIV, their doctors and other health care workers with clear guidance that antiretroviral therapy is beneficial, irrespective of CD4 count, and should be started soon after HIV diagnosis,” said Dr Julian Elliott, an HIV specialist from The Alfred Hospital and chair of the ASHM Sub-Committee.

The best time to start treatment has been debated for many years. This recommendation is consistent with guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS) Panel, which has recently been upgraded to an A1 recommendation (strong recommendation based on data from randomised controlled trials) due to the publication of the results of the START and TEMPRANO Trials. The Australian Commentary on the US DHHS Antiretroviral Guidelines http://arv.ashm.org.au has now been fully revised to reflect this.

“The evidence shows that treatment at any stage of HIV infection is beneficial for the individual’s health. There must now be consensus on the benefits of early treatment. This recommendation is crucial in the removal of barriers to antiretroviral commencement for people with HIV,” said Robert Mitchell, NAPWHA President.

All decisions to start ART should be made by the individual with HIV, in consultation with their health care providers and on the basis that they are fully informed and supported in their decision-making and in taking medications. The decision to start ART should take into account personal health benefits and risks, while also considering reduction in transmission risk. The statement encourages clinicians to regularly discuss the current state of knowledge regarding when to start ART with all individuals with HIV who are not yet on treatment.