WHO: Begin Antiretroviral Therapy Immediately Following HIV Diagnosis

All individuals diagnosed with HIV should be given the option to begin treatment with 7 days of diagnosis, according to new guidance from the World Health Organization issued on the opening day of the 9th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2017) in Paris.

Two studies, both presented at the conference, highlighted the need for better preparation of individuals to begin treatment as soon as possible following diagnosis.

The first study, conducted in Uganda, found that individuals who began treatment on the day of HIV diagnosis were 2.5 times more likely to be lost to follow-up during the year after starting treatment than those who started treatment later, and that once patients had been undergoing treatment for over 1 month, the risk of being lost to follow-up decreased sharply.

The second study showed that readiness to immediately begin treatment was associated with knowledge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) or knowing an individual who had undergone ART, and that those who were surprised by their diagnosis were nearly 55% less likely to be ready for treatment immediately.

—Michael Potts

Maughan-Browne B, Smith P, Kuo C, et al. Readiness for antiretroviral therapy: implications for linking HIV-infected individuals to care and treatment. [presented at the 9th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science]. July, 2017. Paris, France.

Kiwanuka J, Kiwanuka N, Kiweewa FM, et al. Factors associated with loss to follow-up in a primary healthcare HIV clinic practising test and treat [presented at the 9th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science]. July, 2017. Paris, France.