US health authorities recommend preventive treatment for all potential HIV victims

WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (AFP) - US health authorities have recommended for the first time preventive drug treatment for all those potentially exposed to HIV, in a bid to fight harder against the virus that causes AIDS.
The recommendations issued by the Atlanta, Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mark a shift in US policy, which since 1996 had recommended preventive treatment only for medical personnel pricked by an infected needle or exposed to infected blood during occupational accidents.
The CDC on Thursday recommended preventive multi-drug treatment to rape victims, drug users and people who have had unprotected sex.
The three-drug treatment should begin within 72 hours after exposure to HIV and should be taken daily for 28 days, the CDC said.
"The severity of the HIV epidemic dictates we use all available tools to reduce infection," said Ronald Valdiserri, a CDC doctor.
About 40,000 new HIV cases are reported each year in the United States, the CDC said.

01/21/2005 20:02 GMT - AFP