« New Mad Cow Tests Under Way; Industry And Consumer Groups Urge Against Alarm | Main | WHO: African nations face crisis because of health worker shortage »

Cheap Antibiotic Works Well with HIV Children

Fri Nov 19, 2004 08:26 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - A low-cost antibiotic which has performed well in tests should be given to all HIV children in developing countries to prevent infections such as pneumonia and reduce deaths, scientists said on Friday.

Dr. Diana Gibb of Britain's Medical Research Council said a trial involving HIV-infected children in Zambia was stopped early because it was so successful.

A daily dose of the drug co-trimoxazole nearly halved the death rate in youngsters taking it compared to those given a placebo.

Reuters Health

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.