World Health Organization guidelines say treatment should start when there are fewer than 500 white blood cells in every cubic millimetre of blood.<\/p>\n
The trial on 4,685 people in 35 countries, organised by the US National Institutes of Health , compared this approach with immediate treatment.<\/p>\n
The trial started in 2011 and was due to run until the end of 2016.<\/p>\n
But an interim analysis of the data showed that cases of Aids, deaths and complications, such as kidney or liver disease , had already been halved by early treatment.<\/p>\n
All patients on the trial are now being offered antiretroviral drugs.<\/p>\n
The director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci, said: “We now have clear-cut proof that it is of significantly greater health benefit to an HIV-infected person to start antiretroviral therapy sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
“Moreover, early therapy conveys a double benefit, not only improving the health of individuals but at the same time, by lowering their viral load, reducing the risk they will transmit HIV to others.<\/p>\n
“These findings have global implications for the treatment of HIV.”<\/p>\n
Early access<\/p>\n
Michel Sidibe, executive director of at UNAids, argued: “Every person living with HIV should have immediate access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy.<\/p>\n
“Delaying access to HIV treatment under any pretext is denying the right to health.”<\/p>\n
Dr Steve Taylor, the lead HIV Consultant at the Birmingham Heartlands HIV Service, told the BBC the trial was hugely important.<\/p>\n
“Not least that they will they will change the way HIV treatment is prescribed in the UK and around the world.<\/p>\n
“Based on this study, people will be able to access treatment much earlier than currently, which is good for their own health and will reduce HIV transmission.”<\/p>\n
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<\/a> , chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said: “These exciting results should dramatically change the approach to treatment for people living with HIV, both in the UK and internationally.”<\/p>\n