A new drug called isoniazid is reported to prevent contracting tuberculosis in patients with HIV. This is an inexpensive antibiotic, capable of fending off the disease in persons with immune dysfunction. Tuberculosis germs are especially dangerous in this population, because AIDS patients often harbor the bacteria without any obvious symptoms. While TB is considered a major threat in poorer nations, public doctors seem to rarely bother with treating the disease. Many are ignorant, some do not trust that the cure will work, and still other doctors are worried about creating more antibiotic resistance. A study published by the Lancet Infectious Disease journal, found that a daily prescription of isoniazid reduced deaths and active cases of TB by 31%. According to the authors, many patients did not actually take their medication, and for those whom were proven to have taken a daily dose of medicine, the reduction was about 80%.

Side effects of the drug were reportedly minor, and of those patients who ended up contracting the disease ultimately, none of them got an isoniazid-resistant strain of the germs. Most patients for HIV and AIDS take about three to six pills a day already, so convincing a patient to take an extra pill was generally easy. According to an editorial trial included with the study results, the antibiotic only worked when clinics could provide the proper supply of antibiotics and ensure they were taken.

For more details on the article Click Here

Share This