#HIVscoop: Alcohol is Harmful to HIV Positive People, Yale Says

Yale researchers release a new study showing the negative effects of alcohol on HIV-positive individuals.

In a new study released online by Yale University researchers in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, findings suggest even one or two drinks per day (moderate drinking) for those living with HIV infection increases mortality and negative effects–even in those that are currently virally suppressed with antiretrovirals (ARV).

This study is the first to examine the effects of alcohol consumption for those that are undetectable, as other studies included those with detectable levels of the virus present in their bodies.

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According to a news release on Yale’s website,

The researchers analyzed data on HIV-positive and uninfected patients from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS), a large population of individuals receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration, between 2008 and 2012. They examined the association between alcohol consumption and mortality and other signs of physiologic injury.

They found that HIV-positive individuals were more likely to die and experience physiological harm from alcohol consumption than uninfected individuals. Even consumption of one to two drinks per day was associated with increased risk for people with HIV. The finding was particularly notable because it held true for individuals with suppressed virus, said the researchers.

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Amy Justice, Yale University professor of general medicine and of public health. “It suggests the threshold for safe alcohol consumption is likely different for people with HIV.”

So, will you heed the warning and put down the alcohol? Tell me below in the comments your strategy to moderate the a-a-al-alcohol!

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h/t to Ziba Kashef – thx!