A novel study has shown that, the type of HIV, a person is afflicted with, among the different subtypes of HIV already existing, is a key indicator of how quickly they will succumb to the disease.
Researchers from the United States studied people in Uganda to reveal that those with subtype D, show a faster decline in their health rather than subtype A -HIVIn the UK and other western countries, most sufferers seem to be afflicted by type B. What is perhaps most important for the HIV treatment, is the need for the people to commence treatment as early as possible for an improved turn-out of the disease.
Researchers are keenly studying a group of 12,000 people in Uganda to check the manner of HIV spreads throughout the country. Oliver Laeyendecker, who led the research, said: "Knowing a person's HIV subtype is important for the management of the infection because the disease can progress more rapidly in those infected with subtype D and recombinant virus incorporating subtype D than in those with other subtypes. This study is more evidence of the importance to be diagnosed as early as possible, so that people can begin treatment."
