Menstrual Irregularities

Graham Stocks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:07:22 -0700

Menstrual irregularities are not uncommon in women, regardless of HIV status. If you experience menstrual irregularities, it is important to remember that HIV or HIV treatment may not be to blame. Often, the problems are caused by hormonal changes that occur naturally in most women over time.

Hepatitis B

Graham Stocks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:44:53 -0700

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liverA large organ, located in the upper right abdomen, which assists in digestion by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins, stores vitamins and minerals, produces amino acids, bile and cholesterol, and removes toxins from the blood.. This section is about hepatitis that is caused by the hepatitis B virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell..

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmissible disease, and it is also vaccinepreventable, so people who are sexually active can protect themselves by having the vaccination.

HIV Media Digest 3 Jul

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:23:59 -0700

A round-up of HIV-related news stories from the Australian and selected international media.

Looking after yourself

Jill Sergeant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:43:39 -0700

Asking for extra help and support from family, friends and from the community sector does not mean you are ‘not coping’ – it means you are trying to be the best mother you can be.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:38:52 -0700

PID is an inflammation of the pelvic area usually caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea or Chlamydia. Many, if not most, women have PID without knowing it and without noticing any significant symptoms. Untreated PID may become increasingly painful and can cause infertility.

Cervical Cancer

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:23:22 -0700

Cervical cancer is preventable and if diagnosed early, curable. Abnormalities in cervical cells and cervical cancer affect many women regardless of HIV status. They are more common in women with HIV, and HIV related immune suppression appears to make cancers more invasive and more likely to recur after treatment.
Early detection and treatment is the key.

HPV Human Papilloma virus (Genital warts)

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:07:03 -0700

Genital warts are an extremely common STI[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). . Warts are caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus), which has over 200 different strains, but many people who are infected with HPV do not have any symptoms (i.e., actual warts).

Gonorrhoea

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:53:58 -0700

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteriaA microscopic organism composed of a single cell. Many bacteria can cause disease in humans. that can be passed from one person to another during sex. The bacteria usually live inside the cells of the cervix (entrance to the womb), the urethra (tube where urine comes out), the rectum (back passage), the throat and occasionally the eyes.

Syphilis

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:42:45 -0700

Although Syphilis rates have been recently rising among gay men in Australia, syphilis is not particularly common among women. However, it is worth being screened for, as the disease progresses more quickly in the context of immune impairment, and can also become more difficult to treat if you have HIV. It is also easily cured.

Herpes

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:27:55 -0700

Herpes infections are caused by a virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell., either herpes simplex virus type I or II. Herpes simplex I is the virus that causes cold sores. This virus can also cause genital herpes, and is now the most common cause of new genital herpes infections in young adults. Genital herpes is also caused by the herpes simplex II virus, and this is the most common cause of recurring lesions.

Chlamydia

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:21:14 -0700

Chlamydia is an STI[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). caused by bacteriaA microscopic organism composed of a single cell. Many bacteria can cause disease in humans. that infects the cervix in women and can travel upwards through the reproductive organs to the fallopian tubes. It is particularly important to screen for and to treat.

Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:10:41 -0700

Sexually transmissible infections like Chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis may affect any woman. HIV can affect the severity and course of some infections, and ongoing infection can be a burden on the immune system, so it is important to be tested and treated if necessary, then re-tested if you change sexual partner.

Vaginal Thrush (candidiasis)

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:50:22 -0700

Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast, which generally lives in harmony with its human host in the gut, the folds of the skin, the anus, the mouth and the vagina. Thrush, or candidiasis, occurs when the balance of this yeast is disturbed and it multiplies out of control.

Female Parts

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:15:20 -0700

Taking care of your genital and reproductive health is an important part of staying well. Our immune systems are most active in the areas where the outside world permeates our bodies – our mouths and in our female parts.

Real time: a resource for gay and bisexual men

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:07:00 -0700

This is a resource for gay and bisexual men to assist you to avoid taking risks.

Testing your baby for HIV

Jill Sergeant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:53:21 -0700

After birth, your baby will be tested for HIV. This page explains the testing process and provides information about what to do if your baby is HIV positive.

What is ‘best practice’ if I have hepatitis C as well as HIV?

Jill Sergeant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:43:38 -0700

Treating your HIV with combination ARVA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. is definitely recommended if you have hepatitis C (HCVHepatitis C virus.), as HIV replication makes it more likely that you could transmit (HCV) to your baby.

Feeding your new baby

Jill Sergeant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:37:28 -0700

HIV positive women are advised to bottle-feed their babies to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

HIV Media Digest 1 Jul

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:04:41 -0700

A round-up of HIV-related news stories from the Australian and selected international media.

HIV Media Digest 29 Jun

Paul Kidd — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:27:28 -0700

A round-up of HIV-related news from the Australian and selected international media.

Other issues in delivery

Jill Sergeant — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:01:33 -0700

Interventions during delivery, ARVA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. for the baby, and breastfeeding.

Do I need to have a caesarean delivery?

Jill Sergeant — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:53:58 -0700

The evidence that opting for an elective caesarean before you go into labour (called a pre-labour elective caesarean, or PLEC) reduces transmission is strong.

Genetic testing of foetus

Jill Sergeant — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:51:24 -0700

Various pre-natal genetic tests are available to screen for abnormalities such as Down ’s syndrome.

Your ARV options

Jill Sergeant — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:47:54 -0700

Having the lowest possible viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. is the most certain way of preventing HIV transmission to your infant, so the ARVA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. combination that is best for you also gives your baby the best chance.

Do I need to take antiretrovirals?

Jill Sergeant — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:39:15 -0700

Taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV.) reduces the likelihood of your baby becoming HIV positive, but you have some options.