A new drug treatment administered to HIV positive babies at birth shows high success rates in reversing an HIV positive diagnosis. While HIV positive mothers in the United States rarely pass HIV along to their children (due to preventative drugs and procedures), the likelihood of HIV positive babies being born in other parts of the world is still troubling. Research indicates that roughly 330,000 babies are infected with HIV each year. Women in less-developed countries are less likely to be treated during pregnancy, and therefore a post-birth option for HIV prevention or remission could be groundbreaking.
Babies in this trial received a high dose of AZT, 3TC, and nevirapine and were found to be HIV-negative and sero-reverted after being born with HIV. Researchers still need to closely monitor the children as they grow older to observe any long-term effects. While some researchers still remain skeptical, advising further research, these results could be an early indication of a game-changer in HIV prevention.
Source: The New York Times