Cost-effectiveness of #PrEP were discussed in the 25th lesson of the #PrEParing online course. The lecture was presented by the associate professor of the Department of #Epidemiology at Johns #Hopkins University, therapist David Dowdy. The main focus was on the cost-effectiveness of preventive interventions in key populations. An interactive efficiency calculator introduced in the #PLOS One by a group of scientists was explained in this lesson too.

The model of the maximum nurse-led #PrEP coverage helps to reduce costs. Familiar to us director of nursing at Magnet over at #Strut from the #AIDS#Foundation of San Francisco, Pierre-Cedric Crouch, explained how in the #Magnet clinic of the project Strut from San Francisco solves this problem.

Should your #clinic offer #PrEP, pre-exposure #HIV prophylaxis? Demetre Daskalakis, the Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV #AIDS #Prevention and Control in the New York City Department of #Health and Mental #Hygiene, spoke about the current approaches in the US to the issue of expanding access to PrEP. The lesson will be of interest to social workers from the field of sexual health and HIV prevention and health organisers. Dr Dakalaskis will set an example of successful social worker initiatives when people were able to develop and implement PrEP programs in some #US cities.

Immunodeficiency virus exists broadly in nature — many species of animals are infected by it. The immunodeficiency virus (IDV) which was found in monkeys is very similar to the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV appears to have spread to humans from monkeys infected with the immunodeficiency virus in the early twenties of the last century.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects cells of the immune system containing CD4 receptors on their surface: T lymphocytes (t-helpers), monocytes, macrophages and some others. After penetrating into cells, the virus begins to reproduce, which further provokes the destruction and death of infected cells. The virus escapes from the dead cells and infects new CD4 cells. CD4 cell count gradually gets so low that the body loses its ability to combat infections and viral diseases that do not pose a risk for people with a normal immune system.

The HIV infection is distinguished by a long absence of symptoms. Diagnosis of the HIV infection is established through laboratory tests: by detecting antibodies to HIV. The first few weeks after the virus enters the body is the eclipse phase when HIV antibodies cannot be detected.