when is it too late to cure hiv?

[U1195]

Greetings to everyone here!
A neighbour(25 years old) of mine in Cameroon went to the hospital sick and was told
that it is too late to cure her from hiv and she was sent home. She is just about 25 years old,and now hast
dirrhoea and is using baby napkins like a child.
I am worried and just think the hospital doesnot want to waste aids-drogs
and treatment on her since the treatment is paid by the state. u know
some medical officials can be corrupt!
when is it too late to cure a person from hiv?
Please can someone help this young woman in anyway because if things left as they
are she will die!

[RapidRod]

There is no cure for HIV, there is however treatment.

[Jeton]

Greetings to everyone here!
A neighbour(25 years old) of mine in Cameroon went to the hospital sick and was told
that it is too late to cure her from hiv and she was sent home. She is just about 25 years old,and now hast
dirrhoea and is using baby napkins like a child.
I am worried and just think the hospital doesnot want to waste aids-drogs
and treatment on her since the treatment is paid by the state. u know
some medical officials can be corrupt!
when is it too late to cure a person from hiv?
Please can someone help this young woman in anyway because if things left as they
are she will die!

HIV can only be cured (eradicated from the body) within 24-72 hours after exposure by starting Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), usually a 2 or 3 drug cocktail, n taking it faithfully for 30-90 days.

however, HIV can be effectively treated with anti-retroviral drugs and the person infected can still live a long and healthy life. ur friend must not lose hope, because a good attitude will help keep her strength up n help her fight for access to the medications she will need for the rest of her life. she needs to go back to that hospital n look for an intelligent doctor who is familiar with hiv-treatment, or find a doctor that is.

she does not have to die from HIV, but she has to ask for "treatment", not a "cure".

[RapidRod]

HIV can only be cured (eradicated from the body) within 24-72 hours after exposure by starting Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), usually a 2 or 3 drug cocktail, n taking it faithfully for 30-90 days.

however, HIV can be effectively treated with anti-retroviral drugs and the person infected can still live a long and healthy life. ur friend must not lose hope, because a good attitude will help keep her strength up n help her fight for access to the medications she will need for the rest of her life. she needs to go back to that hospital n look for an intelligent doctor who is familiar with hiv-treatment, or find a doctor that is.

she does not have to die from HIV, but she has to ask for "treatment", not a "cure".

Wrong again. nPEP is only given for 28 days.

[Jeton]

Wrong again. nPEP is only given for 28 days.

actually i've seen the protocols vary. u must belong to Pavlov, doggy...in any case, ur response to the OP was wrong, as usual.

[U1195]

I am sorry! I meant" when is it too late to treat hiv?"
She was simply sent home and told it was too late to treat her from the symptoms of hiv
when she was in the hospital.
I donot know what to do because i am away in germany and this woman is just left
like with no help. probably she is too weak to go the hospital on her own.
Is there anyone who wants to advice her or her parents and i will forward her number to
the person?

[RapidRod]

I am sorry! I meant" when is it too late to treat hiv?"
She was simply sent home and told it was too late to treat her from the symptoms of hiv
when she was in the hospital.
I donot know what to do because i am away in germany and this woman is just left
like with no help. probably she is too weak to go the hospital on her own.
Is there anyone who wants to advice her or her parents and i will forward her number to
the person?

  Ignore Jeton post it is totally incorrect. As for your question it is never to late to treat.

[Tim Horn]

actually i've seen the protocols vary. u must belong to Pavlov, doggy...in any case, ur response to the OP was wrong, as usual.

Jeton:

The moderator reports are now coming in at a steady clip -- you're clearly snapping at anyone who challenges you, and this needs to stop. By all means, debate anyone who questions your knowledge or interpretation of facts -- but please do it without the jabs.

And for what it's worth, the CDC offers the following recommendations regarding PEP:

Occupational Exposure: "Administer PEP for 4 weeks, if tolerated"

Non-occupational Exposure: "Accumulated data from animal and human clinical and observational studies demonstrate that antiretroviral therapy initiated as soon as possible within 48--72 hours of sexual, injection-drug--use, and other substantial nonoccupational HIV exposure and continued for 28 days might reduce the likelihood of transmission."

[U1195]

Is there anyone who can advice this girl or her family on what to do,and i forward her number?

[Tim Horn]

U:

Here is what I suggest:

Start contacting some of the AIDS service organizations in Cameroon to learn more about the standard of care -- including access to antiretrovirals -- in Cameroon. In short, I'm not sure if anyone in these Forums can speak specifically to the specific options available to Cameroon residents living with HIV/AIDS.

Please consider consulting this list of resources, care of cameroun-plus.com.

Tim

[Inchlingblue]

This might have the same list of resources as the link provided by Tim, but you might still want to have a look, in case there is any new information. You can search for HIV/AIDS services throughout the world:


http://aidsmap.com/cms1038779.asp

[Tim Horn]

Awesome, Inching...

Your link is far superior to the one I provided. U -- use the aidsmap services directory. Not only is it much easier to search, it lists phone numbers and, where applicable, e-mail addresses and websites for various organization throughout Cameroon.

Definitely worth repeating:

aidsmap's Search for HIV & AIDS services across the world

[Jeton]

Jeton:

The moderator reports are now coming in at a steady clip -- you're clearly snapping at anyone who challenges you, and this needs to stop. By all means, debate anyone who questions your knowledge or interpretation of facts -- but please do it without the jabs.

And for what it's worth, the CDC offers the following recommendations regarding PEP:

Occupational Exposure: "Administer PEP for 4 weeks, if tolerated"

Non-occupational Exposure: "Accumulated data from animal and human clinical and observational studies demonstrate that antiretroviral therapy initiated as soon as possible within 48--72 hours of sexual, injection-drug--use, and other substantial nonoccupational HIV exposure and continued for 28 days might reduce the likelihood of transmission."

i expect members who attack me n can't handle the riposte to cry to mods, that is par for any message board, as regards PEP, the NYC standard was within 24 hours the last time i checked, and the overall course in different districts has variously been described as 30 or 45 or 90 days. that is what i described.

[newt]

As to the OP's question, there is never a time too late to start HIV treatment, and no guidelines anywhere in the world suggest a time when it is too late.

On the NYC standard, the recommendation is treat within 36 hrs if justified by route of possible transmission.

Ref: http://www.hivguidelines.org/GuideLine.aspx?pageID=78&guideLineID=5&vType=text

I would be interested to see a reference standard which recommends more than the CDC standard (and generally used standard) of 30 days medication for PEP/PrEP.

The discussion on PEP/PreP is of course cluttering up the OPs thread, which is perhaps a disservice.

- matt

[U1195]

Thanks for the links.
It is a pity some people have hijacked my thread and have made it to a battle
field and attack each other.
we should behave like adults!

[tednlou2]

These attacks have to stop.  This person is trying to get help for a friend and most of this thread is arguing.  I completely understand pointing out when someone is wrong about info, but this person needs info fast.  The OP didn't ask about PEP.  This girl isn't newly infected, so I'm not sure why it was brought up.

U1195, I wish I knew who to tell you to contact.  I think most of us have known people who were down to CD4 of 20, 10, or even 0.  My former partner was down to 7.  It is my understanding that it is never too late.  Some people may have so many medical problems that it seems too late, but everyone should be given a fighting chance with meds.  I recently read a question to Dr. Gallant about a young girl who was in a coma with many health issues due to HIV/AIDS.  They were still trying to treat her. 

Your friend has a very, very, very good chance of immune recovery if meds are started--from everything I've read and been told.  I wish you both the best and only wish I knew more about the world to give you information you can actually take into action.  Please don't take "NO" for an answer.  Keep demanding she get help.     

[tednlou2]

OrganisationConseil National de Lutte contre le SIDA (CNLS) 


Postal AddressMinistry of Public Health
BP 25 627
Yaoundé 


CountryCameroon

Telephone+237 22 22 57 58

Fax+237 22 23 34 39

Emailmauricefe@yahoo.fr
cnls@camnet.cm

ContactMaurice Fezeu [Permanent Secretary]

Description
En | Es | Fr | PtNational co-ordination; prevention; information provision; support.
Coordinación al escala nacional; prevención; suministro de información; apoyo.
Coordination nationale; prévention; apport d'informations; soutien.
Coordenação nacional; prevenção; fornecimento de informações; auxílio.


OrganisationCameroon Christian AIDS Support Organisation 


Postal AddressPO Box 3 Ndu
Donga Mantung Division
North West Province 


CountryCameroon

Telephone+237 74 90 36 26

Fax+237 32 32 67 53

Emailccasocam@yahoo.com

ContactChumunyang Nchotu Gedalia Shey [Executive Director]
Anjah Egah [Executive Secretary]

Description
En | Es | Fr | PtVoluntary screening and testing; local training to caregivers and treatment; local support for clients in small businesses and for income-generating activities.
Detección y pruebas voluntarias; formación a nivel local para los cuidadores y tratamiento; apoyo a nivel local para los clientes en negocios pequeños y para las actividades que generan ingresos.
Dépistage volontaire; formation locale des soignants et traitement; soutien local des clients dans les petites entreprises et des activités génératrices de revenus.
Ensaios clínicos e rastreio voluntário; treino local para as pessoas que providenciam os cuidados e o tratamento; apoio local para os clientes em pequenos negócios e para as actividades que geram rendimento.


OrganisationSociety for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) 


Postal AddressBP 18486
Douala 


Street AddressCentre Son Ninka
Rue Foch- Quartier Akwa
Douala 


CountryCameroon

Telephone+237 33 42 32 46

Fax+237 33 42 32 46

Emailswaalittoral@yahoo.fr

ContactBeatrice Kom Kamtchueng [Médecin Coordinateur]
Margaret Sanga [Présidente]

Description
En | Es | Fr | PtPrevention; PMTCT; psychological care; social care; medical care; nutrition support for people infected and affected by HIV; nutritional, medical care and school support of orphans and vulnerable children; income generation activities for women living with HIV.


U1195, Please give us an update.  Can you give us more info about life where you both live?  Are there many hospitals, or just one?  Is there free access to healthcare?  Are there elected officials you can talk to?  This definitely tells me I need to learn more about different countries, the governments, resources, etc.   

[tednlou2]

When searching for info about Cameroon and HIV/AIDS, I kept reading how seriously they took the disease and how quickly they responded in the '80's.  However, I was just reading about the problems accessing care.  It appears there is a lot of inequity in services and treatment.  I thought the following article describes the problems the OP, more specifically the girl with HIV/AIDS, has run into.

http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102278317.html