HIV tends to grow faster in infected people those who booze (two or more alcoholic drinks) on a daily basis, a new research has said.

The research clearly showed that daily use of alcohol lets CD4+ cell counts to decline in people with HIV and who are either receiving or nor receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

CD4+ cell counts indicate a weakened immune system.

The antiretroviral therapy comprises the use of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) medications to maximally inhibit the HIV virus.

Based on the outcomes of a 30-month research, authors Marianna Baum, Carlin Rafie, Sabrina Sales and Adriana Campa, from Florida International University (FIU), Miami; Shenghan Lai from Johns Hopkins University and John Bryan Page from University of Miami (Florida) reason out that alcohol has a directly linked with CD4 cells.

Thomas Hope, editor-in-chief of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, which published these findings said, "It is important that HIV infected individuals make informed decisions relating to alcohol consumption. This article will help to achieve that goal."

Hope is also professor of cell and molecular biology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago. (With Inputs from Agencies)