Counseled HIV patients are more likely to stick to their medication regimen

Individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV are often given a strict treatment schedule to help thwart the progression of the infection. Beepers and other alerting devices can sometimes be used to remind the patients to take their medication in a timely fashion, but a new study published in the journal PLoS Medicine has found that these people may benefit more from adherence counseling.

The researchers split 400 newly diagnosed HIV patients into four groups, three of which were given at least one form of reminder to take their antiretroviral remedies.

Test subjects periodically checked in with pharmacists to account for any missed pills.

Study results showed that individuals who received treatment counseling were 29 percent less likely to stray from their therapy guidelines, and those who were instructed intensively were 59 percent less likely than patients who only used beepers or were left to their own devices.

When HIV is detected early, treatments can be effective in preventing diagnosed individuals from developing AIDS.

People who suspect that they have been exposed to HIV should seek testing as soon as possible to avoid spreading it to others.

Anyone who would like to learn their HIV status may consider using online testing services.