India ranks third globally in HIV cases, with 24.01 lakh patients. In 2021, India had 63,000 new cases and 50,000 AIDS-related deaths. HIV remains a significant challenge for detection and treatment. Newer treatment options, such as Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), have shown promising results in HIV management. These drugs reduce HIV virus levels, ensuring better management. Dolutegravir, a new INSTI drug, suppresses and limits virus multiplication
Dr Soumyadip Chatterji, a renowned Infectious Diseases Specialist, highlighted the advantages of Dolutegravir, a new-generation Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) in the HIV drugs arsenal. INSTIs prevent the HIV virus from incorporating into the host genome, limiting virus growth. Dr Bisakh Bhattacharya, a city-based Infectious Diseases Specialist, emphasized the importance of the right treatment for complete viral suppression to reduce HIV transmission. Dr Sayan Chakraborty, a city-based Infectious Diseases Specialist, emphasized the need for periodic follow-ups on anti-retroviral drugs.
Experts emphasized the need for further research and improved access to newer advanced treatments like Dolutegravir to ensure successful HIV control in India. To reduce the risk of HIV infection, adopting a healthy lifestyle, avoiding multiple sex partners, using condoms, getting tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and using single-use syringes for injections are recommended.
