The fight against HIV has and continues to be a taxing battle on patients, families, and health care providers. According to the CDC, the incidence of perinatal HIV transmission in the United States has significantly decreased by 90% since the mid-1990s (2013). Despite these efforts, there are still 1,000 infants born every day with HIV and 330,000 children living with the deadly virus (Christensen, 2013).
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| Mother and child with HIV.
An article recently posted by CNN announced an exciting advancement in the fight against HIV in infants. A pediatric physician and professor, Dr. Hannah Gay, from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, prophylactically treated an infant with aggressive antiretroviral therapy before HIV transmission was even confirmed. To Dr. Gay's surprise, after receiving treatment for over a year then stopping treatment for 5 months, the 2 year old infant was free of "replication competent" HIV virus (Christensen, 2013).
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| HIV testing in Africa. |
The Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development has made a commitment to eliminate perinatal HIV transmissions by 2015. They are doing so by focusing on preventative care. More specifically, their objectives are to prevent mothers from becoming infected, prevent unwanted pregnancies in HIV infected women, increase access to HIV testing for pregnant women, and to improve access to diagnostic services and treatments for mothers and infants with HIV. While this goal may seem highly ambitious, I think it's a great initiative and has potential to inspire other health care professionals to strive toward making improvements in preventative care.
Megan, your blog reminds me of a radio program I listened to a couple of month ago. It was about the advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and how researchers have identified a man who lives in Berlin, Germany who appears resistant to the HIV/AIDS causing virus. This individual has been working with researchers to see if his 'special' defenses could be replicated to make treatment options available. However, to date technology has not been able to pinpoint exactly how his body fights the virus. Interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteDaniela--there is also a patient I met during my N464 clinical who shares the same "special defenses". This person is enrolled in several studies and travels to Washington D.C. where researchers are identifying what in the genetic make-up has made the viral load undetectable. Usually, HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have an undetectable viral load; however, this person has never needed drugs.
DeleteGreat post Megan. Whenever I see a possible cure for HIV in the news or online, I get so hopeful. I am also reminded of an episode of South Park where Magic Johnson creates a cure by grinding up money and injecting himself with it. I am not saying that is a "funny" topic, but they have a point when it comes to costs for antiviral medications and potential cures with research and trials.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how they might prevent mothers from becoming infected? Do you mean via education or preventive treatment? I truly hope there will be a cure soon or hopefully Dr. Gay can produce more positive results with his research.
Excellent post, Megan. The possible "cure" for HIV is an incredibly exciting topic, but, unfortunately, I believe it to be several years away still. However, another topic of note that you slightly touched upon was the availability of HIV medications to lesser-developed areas of the world, obviously, as you note, due to the expensive nature of the drugs. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, too. People everywhere must be able to have the best care possible. Moreover, it begs the question of how much education about HIV is being given to these people, and if they properly can prevent themselves from contracting the disease.
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