Guest guest Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Members, My apologies for crossposting. At aids-africa of which I moderate I posted an article that calls for your comments. Cheers, Chifu The Benefits of Septrin for the HIV Positive The Monitor (Kampala) January 6, 2006 Posted to the web January 5, 2006 Stella Talisuna Due to a suppressed immune system, people living with HIV are more likely to suffer from opportunistic infections and die earlier than HIV negative people. Opportunistic infections range from simple to complicated life threatening infections and their management can be quite expensive and difficult. New interventions have changed the course of HIV from a dreaded disease into a manageable chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes. A lot of research has been done into cost effective interventions of preventing opportunistic infections and ultimately improving the quality of life and prolonging the lives of people living with HIV/Aids. One such intervention is the use of cotrimoxazole commonly found in Uganda under the brand name of septrin. Cotrimoxazole is an antibiotic with activity against a wide range of infections like respiratory tract infections and infections of the urinary tract. Septrin is known by almost everyone, which means it can even be purchased over the counter but not without implications - resistance to common microbes is quite high. However, cotrimoxazole is now the standard of care for people living with HIV. Studies in Uganda have shown a reduction in deaths by 25 percent to 46 percent even in areas where there is high resistance to the antibiotic. When used to prevent common HIV related infections the term " septrin prophylaxis " is implied. Given at a dose of two normal septrin tablets of 480 mg per tablet, once a day or one double strength septrin tablet of 960 mg per tablet, once a day cotrimoxazole has been shown to dramatically reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea, PCP (a severe fatal form of pneumonia), malaria and several other opportunistic infections that occur in people living with HIV. Cotrimoxazole should be taken every day of the patient's life irrespective of whether they are on ARVs or not. In addition, cotrimoxazole should be given to all children born to HIV positive mothers until they are confirmed HIV negative. Many people living with HIV underestimate the importance of adhering to cotrimoxazole and will give every excuse not to take it. Fortunately, service providers now recommend and require that patients adhere to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis before the patient is recruited for antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, the use of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis will delay the need for antiretrovirals, which are not without side effects. Neither cotrimoxazole nor antiretroviral drugs are a cure for HIV. Despite the benefits of cotrimoxazole, it should not be given to patients who have a history of severe allergy to sulphur, and though rare, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be stopped in the event of severe allergic reactions. http://allafrica.com/stories/200601050526.html --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Chifu Point of correction, "Cotrimoxazole should be taken every day of the patient's lifeirrespective of whether they are on ARVs or not" Once your CD4 reaches a certain level ie above 350-400 and the Viral load reches undetectable levles, then you can stop taking Septrin.I was on septrin for 3 years befor i stated on ARVS,and continued to take it for about an year together with the ARVs, but been stopted, when my CD4 got to over 400. Its now 1030, 2 and 1/2 years after been on ARVs. This reduces the chance of one getting resistants to Septrin in the event of getting opportunistic infections. Like has been mentioned it is a wonder drug, and should be readly available to ALL HIV+ Kenyans in need FREE OF CHARGE, as a minimum countiam care to HIV+ patients. james kamau KETAMChifu <chifu2222@...> wrote: Members,My apologies for crossposting. At aids-africa of which I moderate Iposted an article that calls for your comments.Cheers,ChifuThe Benefits of Septrin for the HIV PositiveThe Monitor (Kampala)January 6, 2006 Posted to the web January 5, 2006 Stella TalisunaDue to a suppressed immune system, people living with HIV are morelikely to suffer from opportunistic infections and die earlier thanHIV negative people.Opportunistic infections range from simple to complicated lifethreatening infections and their management can be quite expensive anddifficult.New interventions have changed the course of HIV from a dreadeddisease into a manageable chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes.A lot of research has been done into cost effective interventions ofpreventing opportunistic infections and ultimately improving thequality of life and prolonging the lives of people living with HIV/Aids.One such intervention is the use of cotrimoxazole commonly found inUganda under the brand name of septrin.Cotrimoxazole is an antibiotic with activity against a wide range ofinfections like respiratory tract infections and infections of theurinary tract.Septrin is known by almost everyone, which means it can even bepurchased over the counter but not without implications - resistanceto common microbes is quite high.However, cotrimoxazole is now the standard of care for people livingwith HIV. Studies in Uganda have shown a reduction in deaths by 25percent to 46 percent even in areas where there is high resistance tothe antibiotic.When used to prevent common HIV related infections the term "septrinprophylaxis" is implied. Given at a dose of two normal septrin tabletsof 480 mg per tablet, once a day or one double strength septrin tabletof 960 mg per tablet, once a day cotrimoxazole has been shown todramatically reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea, PCP (a severe fatalform of pneumonia), malaria and several other opportunistic infectionsthat occur in people living with HIV.Cotrimoxazole should be taken every day of the patient's lifeirrespective of whether they are on ARVs or not. In addition,cotrimoxazole should be given to all children born to HIV positivemothers until they are confirmed HIV negative.Many people living with HIV underestimate the importance of adheringto cotrimoxazole and will give every excuse not to take it.Fortunately, service providers now recommend and require that patientsadhere to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis before the patient is recruitedfor antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, the use of cotrimoxazoleprophylaxis will delay the need for antiretrovirals, which are notwithout side effects. Neither cotrimoxazole nor antiretroviral drugsare a cure for HIV.Despite the benefits of cotrimoxazole, it should not be given topatients who have a history of severe allergy to sulphur, and thoughrare, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be stopped in the event ofsevere allergic reactions.http://allafrica.com/stories/200601050526.html--- End forwarded message --- Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover Photo Books. You design it and we’ll bind it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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