Starting antiretroviral therapy earlier leads to better health outcomes and a lower risk of transmitting HIV, according to new results from an ongoing international study. However, the researchers also found more antiretroviral-related side effects in the early treatment group.

“Based on the results, we are now offering [antiretroviral therapy to] all HIV-infected participants in the delayed arm, regardless of CD4 count,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, who presented the results today at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention (IAS 2011). The results were also released…

Results released today from two new African clinical trials show that the anti-HIV drugs Viread and Truvada are effective at preventing transmission of HIV in heterosexual couples when combined with regular condom use and other traditional prevention measures.

When taken daily, the antiretrovirals reduced transmission risk by 60 percent to 70 percent. Due to the strength of the results one of the two trials was modified to discontinue the placebo group early, with all participants being placed on the drugs for prevention purposes.

“These are exciting results for global HIV…

Results from a recent review show that assisted reproduction techniques are safe and effective for HIV serodiscordant couples where the man is HIV positive and the woman is HIV negative. In all studies reviewed, no HIV infection was detected in the women or their newborns.

The authors of the review suggested that couples in which only the man is HIV positive can safely use assisted reproduction technology to avoid HIV transmission to their uninfected partners and newborns.

However, they also noted that the men in the studies were often required…

Dating While HIV-Positive: Should I Date Only Others With HIV?

HIV-positive individuals face two options regarding dating: date another individual who is infected with the virus, or date an individual who is HIV-negative.

A greater understanding of the infection, and the use of condoms, has reduced the likelihood of an HIV-negative individual acquiring the virus, if they are in a romantic relationship with someone who is HIV-positive.

These couples are known as serodiscordant partners.

However, dating while infected with the virus poses many questions.

Should infected individuals date only others…