WHO issues new HIV treatment guidelines

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is issuing new guidelines for the treatment of HIV patients, which could double the number of people being given anti-retroviral drugs.

The agency is also recommending that anti-retrovirals should be prescribed for pregnant women and mothers who are HIV-positive.

WHO last issued recommendations for the treatment of HIV AIDS patients three years ago.

Since then, research has shown that those who begin taking anti-retroviral drugs sooner have a better chance of survival.

The WHO now says patients should start taking the drugs a year or two earlier than is currently the norm.

At the moment 4 million people worldwide receive anti-retrovirals and 5 million are waiting.

The new recommendations will add another 3 to 5 million to the list. Medical experts are already wondering how the global Aids program will pay for it.