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Brazil offers free early treatment for people exposed to AIDS

Xinhua, July 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Brazilian government has launched a program to offer free early preventive medical treatment for those who have exposed themselves to the AIDS virus, in efforts to strengthen the fight against the deadly disease of AIDS.

Known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), the treatment program helps to avoid infection taken within 72 hours after exposure to the risk of AIDS, with higher assurance within two hours, Brazil's official journal Diario Oficial reported, citing sources with Brazil's Health Ministry.

During the treatment, a mixture of antiretroviral medicine consisting of tenofovir, lamivudine, atazanavir and ritonavir, has to be taken for 28 consecutive days.

The medicine has been offered to health professionals since 1990. But victims of sexual violence and suspected infected persons didn't get access to the PEP until 1998 and 2011 respectively, while treatment regulations remained to be improved.

The government intends to provide extensive access to the PEP so that even in rural areas, patients can still be treated in clinics without medical specialists.

Apart from offering preventative treatment, Brazil has also provided a comprehensive health-care system offering AIDS-infected patients free treatment. Endi