My experience of offering ARTs in India

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Dear All,

According to my experience, Antiretroviral are definately effective

if used in time and properly monitored patients and after financial

evaluation. Oppertinistic infections also reduces. In many cases

I found that the treatment of OI sperseed the cost of ART. Even

a addition of one more day/symptomless days to life are benefits.

Unfortunately most people expect complete cure, that is not possible.

I narrate one example of the benefits of ART

Mr. & Mrs. X were dianosed to have AIDS in 1996. Both had CD4 21 and 82

respectively . Mr. X was having Pulmonary Tb and sever Candiasis and

weighing 34 kgs. Mrs. x had cryptococcal meningitis later on.

Their daughter was a doctor and just started education for pathology(MD).

Mr and Mrs. X wanted to remain alive and support their daughter for her

carier. after proper discussion and treatment of OI we decided to put

both parents on ART since they could afford but with little constraints.

just a month back Mrs. X died of non HIV complication and Mr. X is still

alive.The Doctor daughter is now full fledge pathologist and help many HIV

positive patients. Last I met Mr. X who says I can now die peacefully since

my daughter got married few days back.

One must give adequate trial to ART ( unless financially permitted)

before declaring death sentence.

Rashmikant

Email: <rashmis@...>