AIDS: ultra-early treatment, possible remission
Early treatment with antiretrovirals, instituted in the weeks or even days following contamination, has shown its effectiveness in several studies: the viral load becomes undetectable. The problem is to know if, at the end of the treatment, a risk of viral rebound will occur. But live with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) for many years has become possible thanks to powerful, more effective and better supported antiviral therapies.
Screening is still necessary
In France, more than 152,000 people are living with HIV. And an estimated 50,000 people are unaware of their HIV status and are responsible for 40% of new infections. A screening therefore remains essential. Free in France, it remains insufficiently used and often carried out late …
An American laboratory, Orasure Technology, has developed Oraquick In-Home HIV, a test that can be performed by the patient. A test considered useful if it promotes, secondly, the use of more reliable screening, the result of which is given by a specialist allowing appropriate treatment. Marketed in the United States, this test is not available in France.
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HIV: the effectiveness of rapid screening tests confirmed
AIDS: the screening test reimbursed at 100%
Pregnancy: a very low risk of transmission
With special precautions (undetectable viral load in the patient, strict monitoring of prescribed antiviral treatments, etc.), pregnancy is possible. The risk of fetal-maternal transmission of HIV in these conditions
is currently 1%. This rare contamination seems to occur rather at the time of childbirth, with a lower risk by cesarean section than by natural means. From birth, treatment will be given to the baby and breastfeeding prohibited.
New triple therapy: only one tablet per day
It is the association of three antivirals (rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil). These three active ingredients are already available separately, but their combination in one tablet (Eviplera®) makes it easier to follow the treatment properly. This medication is intended for adult patients who have never taken antiretrovirals before and who are not too infected (low viral load). Well tolerated and easy to administer, it is intended for seropositive patients treated at an early stage. A medical follow-up is necessary.
A preventive treatment authorized in the United States
Truvada®, the combination of two antivirals in the same tablet taken each day, is intended to be used as a preventive measure before contact with an infected person. It is authorized in the United States by the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An American study has shown a 44% reduction in the risk of contamination by HIV in a population at risk and 75% in a population of serodiscordant heterosexual couples (one is seropositive, the other not).
