Project

Can we treat our way out of the HIV epidemic?

Code
13V37809
Duration
01 April 2009 → 31 December 2009
Funding
Federal funding: various
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Palliative care and end-of-life care
    • Regenerative medicine
    • Other basic sciences
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Palliative care and end-of-life care
    • Regenerative medicine
    • Other clinical sciences
    • Other health sciences
    • Nursing
    • Other paramedical sciences
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Palliative care and end-of-life care
    • Regenerative medicine
    • Other translational sciences
    • Other medical and health sciences
Keywords
HIV epidemic
 
Project description

This conference responds to the ongoing debate about the role of antiretroviral therapy for HIV prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa. In practice, antiretroviral therapy in developing countries is most often delayed until the HIV patient is severely immunocompromised (< 200 CD4+ cells /ùL). Earlier onset of antiretroviral treatment (< 350 or < 500 CD4+ cells /ùL) however, leads to longer periods of suppressed viral load (hence suppressed infectiousness) among a larger (and younger) population. This strategy could indirectly lower the HIV incidence, and would thus help to curb the epidemic. Advantages and disadvantages of this pro-active, out-of-the-box approach will be discussed in detail, based on clinical, epidemiological and health economic evidence.