NAPWA

AIDS is over (for some): WHO chief

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Kevin de Cock caused some controversy with a recent statement that, apart from African countries, “it is very unlikely there will be a heterosexual epidemic in other countries." read more »

UN boss: stop travel restrictions for HIV+ travellers

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called for an end to all discrimination against people with HIV, including restrictions on travel for HIV-positive travellers into some countries. read more »

Treatments Briefs

Darunavir and the risk of hepatitis

A warning has been issued by Tibotec, the manufacturers of Prezista (darunavir) regarding the risk of developing drug- induced hepatitis while taking the treatment. read more »

Treatments Briefs

Should positive people get booster hepatitis shots?

The simple answer is ‘no’ according to Dr Brian Hughes, Infectious Diseases Physician and hepatitis specialist at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. read more »

Treatments Briefs

Etravirine promising for those with NNRTI resistance

An encouraging outcome of the DUET studies is that etravirine is effective against HIV mutations resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to existing NNRTIs, efavirenz and nevirapine. read more »

Treatments Briefs

Future flu vaccines may also treat HIV

A New Zealand company is working on an antiviralA medication or substance which is active against one or more viruses. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretrovirals. agent that utilises the immune system to fight fluA highly contagious and relatively common viral infection of the respiratory system, transmitted by infected droplets of moisture which may be spread through coughing and sneezing. Most people with flu recover but some go on to develop secondary infections such as pneumonia which may be fatal., hepatitis and HIV. read more »

First trial of microbicide in pregnant women

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh will commence a clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. on a vaginal microbicide incorporating the antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. drug tenofovir in pregnant women. read more »

Treatments Briefs

Mediterranean diet lowers diabetes risk

People who adhere closely to a Mediterranean diet — comprising olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish and low in meat and dairy – may have a lower risk of developing diabetes[Diabetes mellitus] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effect of some anti-HIV drugs. according to a recent studyA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. . read more »

EPC Dental Access Scheme temporarily opens again

People with HIV (and other chronic and complex conditions) once again have access to Medicare funded dental care through private dentists, after the removal of the Enhanced Primary Care Dental program was blocked in the Senate in June. read more »

Nationals MP supports revitalised HIV response

In a welcome intervention to put HIV on the agenda of federal parliament, Nationals MP for Riverina, Kay Hull, moved a private member’s bill in the House of Representatives on June 23, asking for bipartisan support for a revitalised response to HIV in Australia. read more »

News Briefs

Piot steps down from UNAIDS

Peter Piot, the Executive Director of UNAIDSJoint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS is the main advocate for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated global action on the epidemic. for the past 13 years, is stepping down at the end of this year. read more »

Jorge: Determined to stop smoking

Having overcome discrimination and isolation after being diagnosed with HIV in his native Columbia, moving to Australia with little English and less money, it isn’t surprising that Jorge had the determination to stop smoking by going ‘cold-turkey’. read more »

Scott: Living within boundaries

Over the last eighteen months Scott has stopped smoking and cut his drug use. He’s had to find different ways to fill the weekends. Doing that without getting bored was a struggle at first, but Scott has now managed to get into a groove. read more »

Ron: Being pro-active

After more than 20 years experience of living with HIV, Ron has worked out how to keep his life balanced. He works at remaining self-aware, and he has developed strategies to help manage competing pressures from work, his relationship and HIV, and to stay in control of his physical and mental health. read more »

Steven: Surviving long-term

Even among long-term survivors, Steven has survived more than most. Steven has been near death a number of times, and has always found the strength to pull through. Despite numerous obstacles, Steven has always been able to find the strength to work out ways to make the best of his situation and develop new strategies to manage his health. read more »

Tobin: Making a sea change

Frocks and footy. Nature and yoga. Cabin fever and isolation. Tobin’s sea change has at times been a tricky mix. Tobin had been living in Sydney for years when he decided on his sea change. As Tobin puts it, ‘Things weren’t going well. Deep down I wanted to make changes.’ ‘HIV was one of the reasons for shifting, but there were other factors – a relationship breakdown, work not coming in, and the stresses of living in a city. read more »

More info: Healthy Life +

ACON’s Healthy Life + is an intensive fitness and nutrition program for people living with HIV/AIDS. The program provides a free gym membership for the length of the program, a personal trainer to motivate and support participants in their exercise and nutrition program and seminars related to health, HIV treatment and nutrition. read more »

The Nutrition for Life project

The Nutrition for Life Project works to ensure that people with HIV get the nutrition they need. read more »

Stuck in a rut, but don’t want to move?

Ian Coutts, who was a health coach with a pilot program with the Melbourne Positive Living Centre in 2006, has some advice for people who want to develop healthier lifestyles, but feel they’re in a bit of a rut. read more »

The bottom line: Exercise

Moderate exercise is beneficial to everyone, regardless of whether they are HIV-positive or negative. Moderate exercise is known to stimulate the immune system and can boost your mood, while keeping fit reduces the risk of a range of illnesses. read more »

The bottom line: Smoking

Smoking, by itself, does not make HIV infection worse, but smoking has been linked to increased rates of some HIV-related opportunistic infections and HIV-positive people who smoke may be more likely to suffer smoking-related diseases than HIV-negative smokers. read more »

The bottom line: Alcohol

For most people with HIV, moderate consumption of alcohol is probably harmless, but if you’re drinking more than 1-2 drinks a day or if you also have hepatitis B or C, it makes sense to consider reducing your alcohol intake. read more »

The bottom line: A positive attitude

Living with HIV is never straightforward and lots of people with HIV say it’s essential to keep a ‘positive attitude’ about life with the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell.. Maintaining a sense of humour and remaining optimistic haven’t been measured in clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trials, but most people would agree these are good skills to have for anyone with a serious illness like HIV. read more »

The bottom line: Diet and nutrition

Eating a balanced, healthy diet is definitely beneficial for people with HIV. Some studies have shown that people with nutrient deficiencies have more rapid disease progression or respond to treatments less well. read more »

The bottom line: Stress, depression and mental health

A significant number of people with HIV suffer from stress, anxiety or depression. Living with these problems adds to the burden of illness that we all have to bear, reduces quality of life and can have a serious impact on treatments adherence, so it is worthwhile doing what you can to respond to stress and depression if it affects you. read more »