+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted July 13, 2014 Subscriber² Share Posted July 13, 2014 Healthy gay men urged to take HIV drugs - WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging all sexually active gay men to take antiretroviral drugs to reduce the spread of HIV. The organisation says the move may help prevent a million new HIV infections over 10 years. Officials warn rates of HIV in this group remain high across the globe. But activists suggest this could discourage the use of condoms - one of the best methods to stop the virus spreading. According to the WHO report, men who have sex with men are 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population. 'Exciting approach' Health experts say offering antiretroviral drugs to all at-risk men - known as pre-exposure prophylaxis - will provide an additional way to prevent infection, together with condom use. When taken consistently by people at high risk, studies show the medication can reduce the chances of getting HIV by up to 92%. And scientists say encouraging this group of men to take these pills could lead to a 25% reduction in new cases across the globe. Dr Rosemary Gillespie, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "We already know if someone has HIV, using treatment drastically reduces the likelihood of them passing it on, as does using condoms. "The idea of treatment as prevention is not new, but the idea of extending treatment to HIV-negative people from high-risk groups is. "Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an exciting approach, and likely to be one of a number of ways in which we can reduce the spread of HIV in the future. "However, we need to evaluate how effective it will be in preventing HIV among gay men." 'Progress threatened' She says until the results of UK trials are known, condoms and regular testing remain the best weapons against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. And while the number of people dying of Aids is falling sharply, the WHO says key populations need more attention. According to the report, transgender women are almost 50 times more likely to have HIV than other adults, a level similar to that seen among people who inject drugs. And sex workers are 14 times more likely to have HIV than the general population. Dr Gottfried Hirnschall of the World Health Organization said: "Failure to provide services to the people who are at greatest risk of HIV jeopardises further progress against the global epidemic and threatens the health and well-being of individuals, their families and the broader community." Source: BBC News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPreston Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 <Snipped> That's that christian love for you. We have a little "Josef Mengele" here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Most healthy people are encouraged to get on one drug or another, even when they don't need them. Is a sad drug culture we've become. I personally choose to live drug-free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rippleman Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 <Snipped> anyone know if this guy was serious or joking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted July 13, 2014 Author Subscriber² Share Posted July 13, 2014 <Snipped> Remove yourself from the gene pool, please. TPreston 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabz0r Veteran Posted July 13, 2014 Veteran Share Posted July 13, 2014 Qoute replies were snipped + his comment were deleted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo1911 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Some hilarious comments in here. Back to topic. Does anyone else feel this piece of news may be sponsored by a Pharma Company? Paid news is paid. Encouraging condom use may be cheaper and effective with no possible side effects. The target market can even be shown the South Park S05E07. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlang Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 i never would play drug-tester for the pharma industry. no matter if its against hiv, against flu, against whatever else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Red King Subscriber² Posted July 13, 2014 Subscriber² Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Healthy gay men encouraged to suffer from side effects of unnecessary anti viral medication to increase corporate profits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Gibs Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Some hilarious comments in here. Back to topic. Does anyone else feel this piece of news may be sponsored by a Pharma Company? Paid news is paid. Encouraging condom use may be cheaper and effective with no possible side effects. The target market can even be shown the South Park S05E07. While I think it's a good thing because it has been proven to help reduce the spread of HIV, I also can't help but think that some pharma company wants it this way. Antiretroviral drugs are extremely expensive and I don't think most insurance companies (in the US anyways) will cover it since there isn't a medical need for it. Then you have all the side effects. The drugs are extremely good and beneficial but you shouldn't have to use them when there are better ways to prevent HIV like condoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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