REVISED guidelines for antiretroviral therapy, including earlier treatment for HIV-positive babies, are now in force, the Treatment Action Campaign has said.
REVISED guidelines for antiretroviral therapy, including earlier treatment for HIV-positive babies, are now in force, the Treatment Action Campaign has said.
It said the guidelines, published by the South African National Aids Council, came into effect last week.
The guidelines phased out the use of Stavudine (d4T) in favour of Tenofovir, which had fewer side effects and required fewer treatment switches than d4T.
They also allowed earlier treatment for pregnant women and people with HIV and TB, early treatment for HIV-positive infants, and improved regimens to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
"This move will ensure that South Africa will have one million people on treatment by the end of June 2010," TAC said in a statement.
The treatment should be available at all health facilities in South Africa that are providing antiretroviral therapy.
It said 5,3 million South Africans were HIV positive. In addition to the 900000 already on treatment, there were one million people still in need of treatment. - Sapa
New ARV guidelines in force
REVISED guidelines for antiretroviral therapy, including earlier treatment for HIV-positive babies, are now in force, the Treatment Action Campaign has said.
REVISED guidelines for antiretroviral therapy, including earlier treatment for HIV-positive babies, are now in force, the Treatment Action Campaign has said.
It said the guidelines, published by the South African National Aids Council, came into effect last week.
The guidelines phased out the use of Stavudine (d4T) in favour of Tenofovir, which had fewer side effects and required fewer treatment switches than d4T.
They also allowed earlier treatment for pregnant women and people with HIV and TB, early treatment for HIV-positive infants, and improved regimens to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
"This move will ensure that South Africa will have one million people on treatment by the end of June 2010," TAC said in a statement.
The treatment should be available at all health facilities in South Africa that are providing antiretroviral therapy.
It said 5,3 million South Africans were HIV positive. In addition to the 900000 already on treatment, there were one million people still in need of treatment. - Sapa