SCI/TECH: British HIV Patients Show Increasing Drug Resistance

Research has shown that Britain has a very high rate of HIV infected individuals who are resistant to HIV medications. The study followed more than 2000 infected patients and found that some fourteen percent had some degree of drug resistance. Among the most recent members of the study the resistance rate rose to nineteen percent. By contrast the drug resistance rate in the US is seven percent and six percent in France. The rest of Europe has a rate of about ten percent.



Hard on the heels of news that a British man might have overcome HIV infection, we now have news that the drug resistance rate in Britain is staggeringly high and is getting even higher. HIV has proven to be a most formidable pathogen, mutating faster than anyone can get a handle on it. Controversy over the HIV/AIDS connection does not help the situation. In South Africa, the rate of baby rapes is growing with the belief that having sex with a virgin will cure the condition. With reliable medical intervention still in the unforeseeable future, it is imperative to convince the world that behavior is the key to controlling and containing HIV. For now, there is simply no other hope of stemming this horrific pandemic.

Related News Links:
news.bbc.co.uk
news.scotsman.com
www.sciencedaily.com
www.survivreausida.net

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For once, I partially agree with you Grady on something.

Changing behavior is really the only way to stop the spread of AIDS. Curbing irresponsible promiscuous sexual behavior, for example. Normally Im a big believer in condoms, because for responsible people, they work. But obviously, most of the world refuses to use them properly, yet engage in risky unprotected sex in high numbers. Obviously wasting money on condom education isn't doing any good. It has only slowed the spread of AIDS in some places.

Alot of it is cultural too though. AIDS spreads most in countries that condone or encourage polygamy, or promiscous sexual behavior for men, even married ones. This will help spread those drug resistant strains of HIV, makings AIDS once again the death sentance it used to be, instead of the chronic illness it is now.

Abstinance education may not work in America or the west, but could prove to be more effective in other places where condom education has failed.

There was a story I read in a magazine once about an AIDS conference in Thailand, IIRC. The US government reps arrived, walked off the plane, and one of the first things they were asked was "How many girls would you like at your room tonight?" As long as there are attitudes like this in the world, we'll never be able to stop AIDS.

Aids regimines have to be strictly followed or this can be one on the consequences. The sad truth is that AIDS is now considered a chronic disease in many parts of the world as it is no longer the rapid death sentance it used to be and for many it has become an acceptable gamble.

I agree with Skadi, the AIDS vaccine may never come but the easiest way to stop it is behavior

Certainly, the use of condoms would be on a list of behaviors to help protect one from exposure, but it should be recognized by all that expecting people, especially young people, to have the presence of mind during passionate moments to use the things correctly, or even at all, is asking quite a lot.