The Benefits of Septrin for the HIV Positive

[Guest guest]

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 ---

[Guest guest]

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!