Subscribe to this blog's feedPeople living with HIV could soon monitor their own condition at home using a hand-held device, similar to ones used by diabetics .
Scientists at three of London's largest research centres have been granted £2m to develop a hi-tech, finger prick blood-testing gadget.
The device's tiny mechanical sensors - microcantilever arrays - measure HIV levels to warn of impending flare ups.
A display then alerts the user if there is any need for them to visit a doctor.
 |
It would be very useful if HIV patients could check their own viral measures
 Lisa Power of the Terrence Higgins Trust
|
Investigator Dr Anna-Maria Goretti, an NHS consultant and co-investigator based at the Royal Free Hospital, said: "If patients neglect to take their treatments or need prompting to see their GP the device will provide a simple way of letting them know. "It will really empower HIV patients to keep a close eye on their health and their treatments." Read the rest of the article at Self-monitoring
When properly used, the ability to test your own viral load makes sense for most of us, although I'm sure that there that will always be a few of us who become obsessive about it or break out the test kit after every episode of "True Blood". Not that I want to shill for the medical profession, but it shouldn't replace working with your doctor.
Thanks David for posting. The 3 monthly blood draws are probably the worst part for me, with all the anxiety associated with waiting for the results. This would normalise matters and remove the fear factor in testing.
Hi David. This is very interesting news, although I'm disappointed to realise that it would only be useful for people on treatment - in order to know if their virus is remaining undetectable. If they succeed in creating this device, I hope they make sure it isn't prone to showing detectable when the person really isn't. The potential panic... oy vey!
I would love to see them come up with a device that could measure CD4 counts and percentages. I'd be all for that!
Ann
I couldn't agree with you more, Ann. There are too many of us who can't afford to or are otherwise reluctant to seek treatment.
The fact is that already in medical school doctors are taught about all the ways to manipulate scientific data and not to trust drug company information. But sometime after they leave medical school, start meeting pretty sales reps, get little gifts, are taken to dinner or become speakers for various drug companies, all those warnings seem to simply vanish form their little minds. And the patient becomes someone they can use to test the most recent, least tested and most expensive medicine on, without any cost to them.
Alex, doctors are no different than any other professionals. You have to educate yourself as much as possible and ask your doctor appropriate questions about what will work best for you. You can and should ask what drug reps come into his/her office. Ultimately, you should find a doctor who you have a good relationship with and whom you trust.
Thank you for the good news!! As much as I enjoy visiting with my doctor( I don't socialise much lately) My visits to her every three months cost me a bundle EVEN with my employers Insurance coverage, I get to pay 150.00 deductible each time. Tally it up. I only wish it was the AMERICAN research trams that had the liberty to do their work without political barriers i.e. Stem cell research, etc. Our current system precludes researchers from taking advantage of the best medical opportunities. Leaving us only with products we must buy from OTHER COUNTRIES.