London (03 May 2012) – BHIVA (British HIV Association), the UK's leading association representing professionals in HIV care, has today launched two new guidelines for the treatment of people living with HIV in the UK.

The new adult treatment guidelines set out world-leading recommendations on the treatment that HIV clinicians provide for their patients, and they highlight the role of treatment as prevention.

The new guidelines for the treatment of pregnant women living with HIV include will enable more women who are HIV positive to have the same experience in childbirth as women who are HIV negative.

The guidelines are intended for use by HIV specialists and set a global standard in treatment and care.

Professor Jane Anderson, Chair, BHIVA comments: "These two new guidelines which are informed by the most up to date evidence and developed to rigorous standards are amongst the best in the world. Combined with the excellent outcomes for HIV therapy in the UK these guidelines are an example of HIV care at its best."

"Crucially, these guidelines will increase patient involvement in decision making, a point that came across strongly through our community engagement during the drafting process."

The guidelines will be implemented immediately and BHIVA are producing implementation and audit tools alongside the guidelines.
 

More information

• Management of HIV infection in pregnant women (2012)
  A de Ruiter (Chair), GP Taylor (Co Chair), A Palfreeman (Co Chair)
   
• Treatment of HIV-1 positive adults with antiretroviral therapy (2012)
  I Williams (Chair), D Churchill (Vice Chair)

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About BHIVA
Founded in 1995, BHIVA is the leading UK association representing professionals in HIV care.

It acts as a national advisory body to professions and other organisations on all aspects of HIV care. BHIVA provides a national platform for HIV care and contributes representatives for international, national and local committees dealing with HIV care. BHIVA also works to promote undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education within HIV care.

The current membership of the association is over 1,000 across a wide range of healthcare professionals and other HIV healthcare workers.