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What
is resistance testing?
Resistance
Testing
refers to two new types of tests that are being used by a number of
researchers and health-care providers in the search for better ways to
treat people infected with HIV/AIDS.
The
first one called a Genotypic test,
examines the HIV taken from a patient, looking for the presence of
certain genetic mutations that are known to cause resistance to
medications.
A
Phenotypic test directly measures the actual sensitivity of a
patient’s HIV to certain drugs. To do this, phenotypic tests measure
the amount of a particular medication needed to inhibit HIV in a test
tube.
How
might these tests help me?
It
is the hope of doctors, and people living with HIV that using these
tests will allow them to make better treatment decisions. For example,
knowing what medications you might already be resistant to, could save
both time, money, and possibly the heartache of taking a bunch
medications that could be destined to fail from the start. This is
especially important to someone whose combination therapy may have
already failed, or someone who may have been infected with resistant
virus.
What
are the pros and cons?
Unfortunately
these tests are not without fault. They are being done on an
experimental basis. They are quite expensive and the data can be hard
to interpret.
How
can I get more info?
Drop by, or call
one of the Women Alive Treatment Advocates. They will be happy
to give you more detailed information.
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