Positive news in the battle against HIV

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and President Obama is expected to announced that the new global target for treating people with this sexually transmitted disease (STD) should be increased from four million to six million people. Reuters reports that the president also plans to unveil a $ 50 million increase in U.S. spending on efforts to find a cure for this infection. 

There have been many advancements made in the treatment of this disorder in recent decades, and scientists are reporting positive results in studies of HIV patients on a regular basis. Recently, Danish researchers reported that they have found that individuals with HIV in their country who follow their medication regimen can live as long as Danes who are not infected with the virus.

According to researcher Niels Obel of the University of Copenhagen, most patients have the same questions when they get diagnosed, including how long they can expect to survive with the disease and how the infection will affect their brain, heart and body.

"Fortunately we are well-equipped to answer such questions in Denmark because we record an exceptional amount of data which we can use to shed light on the long-term effects of disease. This also goes for Danish HIV patients, and it is marvellous to be able to tell them that actually their prospects are quite bright," said Obel.

Unfortunately, patients do have to realize that they will be on medications for the rest of their life, since the HIV virus is constantly evolving, making it difficult to create a cure. Hopefully, in the coming years scientists will be able to work through this problem and create more effective medications and even a potential cure. According to Avert.org there are an estimated 33.3 million people worldwide currently living with this disease.