The World Health Organisation is calling on countries to stop treating people with Stavudine, the most widely prescribed drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

The drug has untreatable side-effects, including nerve disorders, and the WHO is recommending that sufferers switch to Zidovudine and Tenofovir. These drugs are as effective as Stavudine but have fewer side-effects.

People infected with HIV are also being advised to start taking antiretrovirals before they become sick. The WHO has issued a revised list of guidelines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

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