The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging all sexually active gay men to take antiretroviral drugs to reduce the spread of HIV.<\/p>\n
The organisation says the move may help prevent a million new HIV infections over 10 years.<\/p>\n
Officials warn rates of HIV in this group remain high across the globe.<\/p>\n
But activists suggest this could discourage the use of condoms – one of the best methods to stop the virus spreading.<\/p>\n
According to the WHO report, men who have sex with men are 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population.<\/p>\n
‘Exciting approach’<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
When taken consistently by people at high risk, studies show the medication can reduce the chances of getting HIV by up to 92%.<\/p>\n
And scientists say encouraging this group of men to take these pills could lead to a 25% reduction in new cases across the globe.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“The idea of treatment as prevention is not new, but the idea of extending treatment to HIV-negative people from high-risk groups is.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“However, we need to evaluate how effective it will be in preventing HIV among gay men.”<\/p>\n
‘Progress threatened’<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And while the number of people dying of Aids is falling sharply, the WHO says key populations need more attention.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And sex workers are 14 times more likely to have HIV than the general population.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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