Smokers may have higher risk of HIV -study
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-21 11:29 LONDON - Smoking, already
linked to several illnesses, may also increase the risk of infection with HIV,
the virus that causes AIDS, researchers said on Thursday.
In a review of studies that looked at the association between smoking and
HIV, British doctors said five of the six studies they analysed showed smokers
had a higher chance of becoming infected.
Nine of 10 other studies in the review that tracked the progression from HIV
to AIDS found no link with smoking.
"The studies identified in this systematic review indicate that while smoking
might be independently associated with acquiring HIV infection, it does not
appear to be related to progression to AIDS," said Dr Andrew Furber, of the
South East Sheffield Primary Care Trust.
Furber and his colleagues, who reported the findings in the journal Sexually
Transmitted Infections, said tobacco smoke may increase susceptibility to HIV
infection by modifying a variety of immune system responses.
Research has shown that smoking is a leading cause of preventable death. It
increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, respiratory problems, lung and
other types of cancer.
The researchers suggest in the study that public health measures that
encourage smokers to quit could also improve the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS
prevention programmes.
About 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 5 million
were newly infected in 2005 and more than 3 million adults and children died of
AIDS in the same year.
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