AIDS: New strain found in Portugal

A new strain of the AIDS virus, Subtype G of the HIV1 virus, is on the increase in Portugal. This strain is multi-resistant to retroviral treatment, making clinical care extremely complicated for the patients infected with this strain.

The Virology Laboratory of Egas Moniz Hospital, Lisbon, has indicated that there is data to support the notion that subtype G is on the rise in Portugal, especially in the south of the country, although the Portuguese health authorities refuse to use the term “epidemic”.

Subtype G shows signs of being easier to transmit that other subtypes, the main victims being women who are infected during heterosexual relationships. The health authorities reiterate that the best form of prevention is the use of a condom in sexual relations, and clean needles in the case of intravenous drugs users.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru