Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS can now afford a smile after the UK researchers developed the new guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

These new guidelines are believed to have the capacity to protect the health workers, couples, prostitutes and babies born with HIV virus. These guidelines were developed in clinical trials in the UK.

The guidelines indicate that a dose of oral antiretroviral medication, called pre-exposure prophylaxis, can reduce on the risk of HIV infection.

It is said that pre-exposure prophylaxis can reduce HIV infection by around 75 per cent among discordant couples while homosexuals have protection of 40% if they use it.

However the Word Health Organisation (WHO) asks doctors to ensure that the people intending to use pre-exposure prophylaxis are HIV-negative in order to guard against the development of drug resistance.

Walakira Nyanzi