Does septrin slow HIV progress?

Dear Doctor,
Many people in my area are now taking septrin even without testing for HIV because a popular FM radio station says it helps slow the progress of HIV infection to AIDS. Is this true and is taking septrin safe?
Sarah

Dear Sarah,
It is true that we use septrin as part of the basic care package for people with HIV/AIDS. It is very useful in preventing common opportunistic infections, such as respiratory infection, diarrhoea, brain abscess or toxoplasmosis and even malaria. However, septrin must be used after one has done a test and is HIV-positive. Even after this, self-medication without being under the care of a qualified healthcare giver is not encouraged.

Many HIV-positive people remain asymptomatic even when they are grossly immune compromised and their CD4 count is very low; in which case they should be put on ARVs. So, although the health message being given on the FM radio may be correct, the people using septrin when they have not tested for HIV are doing the wrong thing.

I believe the right and complete message should be that all people who have tested HIV-positive should be registered with an accredited HIV/AIDS treatment centre, where they should be given the basic care package which includes septrin prophylaxis, insecticide treated mosquito nets, a safe water vessel and training in hygiene and proper nutrition.

Many people who assume they are HIV-positive, maybe because they lost a sexual partner to HIV/AIDS, or because they are sickly, are actually HIV-negative and, therefore, do not need septrin. The only way one can know whether he or she has HIV and, therefore, needs care is by doing an HIV test. The service is now widely available all over the country.