HIV Prevention Drug OK for Heterosexuals, CDC Says
Truvada, a pill currently used to treat HIV, can help prevent transmission among heterosexuals.
On Thursday, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came out with its first treatment guidelines for that purpose.
The CDC only recommends Truvada as a prevention tool for those who are HIV-negative, undergo regular testing, and commit to taking the pill every day.
The retail cost is about $1,000 a month.
The CDC came out with similar guidelines for gay and bisexual men more than a year ago.
But for heterosexuals, the new guidelines include specific instructions for women who may become pregnant and for couples where one only person is HIV-positive.
The CDC says more than a quarter of new HIV infections are among heterosexuals who don’t inject drugs.
More comprehensive guidelines on Truvada as a preventive tool are expected by year’s end.
Top Stories
