HIV Life Expectancy Increases in UK, Study Claims
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October 12, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Research indicates life expectancy for those in the UK with HIV has improved by 15 years over the past decade.
Dr Margaret May, from the University of Bristol, and her team examined the life expectancy of an avergae 20-year-old commencing treatment with anti-retroviral drugs between 1996-1999 and 2006-2008.
Data reports from the British Medical Journal indicate that the regular life expectancy improved from 30 to nearly 46 years. This is due to the increase in modern drugs and earlier treatment, according to the study.
Nevertheless the figures also suggest more than 80,000 people in the UK have HIV, of which 25% are unknowingly infected.
Given the increase in medication, the Terrence Higgins Trust, a sexual health charity, encourages individuals who are at risk to get tested as soon as possible.
Women with HIV could expect to live a decade longer than men who have HIV possibly because they are examined throughout pregnancy, and are more likely to start treatment earlier, the study suggests.
“These results are very reassuring news for current patients and will be used to counsel those recently found to be HIV-positive,” Dr Mark Gompels of the North Bristol NHS trust declares.
Chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust Sir Nick Partridge continues: “It also demonstrates why it’s so much better to know if you have HIV. Lat diagnosis and late treatment mean an earlier grave, so if you’ve been at risk for HIV, get tested now … While so much has changed 30 years on from the start of the epidemic, condoms continue to be the best way to protect yourself and your partner from HIV in the first place.”
Health care clinics throughout the country provide HIV tests. Furthermore, they advise not investing in a home testing kit for HIV, as they might indicate inaccurate results.
By Davina Qureshi
[Image courtesy of Trygve.u]
