How to Prevent HIV? Researchers Say, Try Treating It

by Caitlin Cohen · 2010-07-20 08:01:00 UTC
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Does treating HIV curb the spread of the disease or increase it? For years, that's the debate that has raged among scientists. Those that believe treatment decreases transmission usually cite the fact that treated individuals have fewer HIV viruses in their blood and bodily secretions, which slows overall transmission. Those who believe that treatment increases transmission argue that because people live longer and healthier lives, they'll spread more of the disease — via more sexual encounters — than if they hadn't received treatment.

This week, a group of researchers in Canada have thrown more fuel into the fire. Specifically, they found the first conclusive proof that increasing HIV treatment does decrease the number of new diagnoses. And that's cause for serious celebration. (Numerous activists greeted this news with cries of  “That’s what we’ve been saying all along.”)

Their study found that putting an additional 100 people on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) reduces new diagnoses by 3%. It's a finding that might very well change how we approach foreign aid for HIV/AIDS.

Policy experts and donors often see treating HIV and preventing HIV as two mutually exclusive activities that compete for resources. This data will hopefully support the roll-out of treatment as an effective form of prevention — not just as a kind of humanitarian obligation.

Still, though, it's important to note that Canada's epidemiologic and social circumstances are different than much of the rest of the world.  More research is needed, I'm sure, to determine the true preventative impact of treatment. This is especially true in places like Botswana, where the percentage of people infected is already so high that a marginal decrease in transmission rate doesn't make a big difference in the overall number of people infected.  Globally, only 30-40% of HIV patients receive HAART.

For the moment, though, this is a great piece of global health news to savor.

Photo Credit: Sully Pixel

Caitlin Cohen is a co-founder of the Mali Health Organizing Project and AFUSC, a West African primary care network.
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