NAPWA

US allows HIV-positive travellers

People with HIV wishing to travel to the US for up to 30 days are now permitted to do so providing they apply for a visa from their local US consulate. read more »

Dental scheme still open

On September 16, the Senate blocked the Federal Government’s bill to remove the Enhanced Primary Care Dental Scheme for chronic conditions for a second time. read more »

Restriction on HIV+ guest workers unjustified

NAPWA President Robert Mitchell has called for clarification from the Federal Government of media reports on plans to require HIV tests for people coming into Australia under the proposed Pacific Islander guest worker scheme. read more »

NAPWA urges pension changes

In a submission to the federal government’s review of pensions and the tax system, NAPWA has made a plea for urgent action to be taken on the rate of pensions and concession entitlements as they affect people with HIV. read more »

ASHM 2008: Unity against criminalisation

At the opening plenary of the 20th Australasian Society of HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) Conference in Perth on July 17-20, the Presidents of ASHM, AFAOAustralian Federation of AIDS Organisations. AFAO is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia's community-based response to HIV/AIDS. AFAO's work includes education, policy, advocacy and international projects. and NAPWA all condemned recent trends by governments around the world to criminalise the transmission of HIV. read more »

ASHM 2008: Treatment side effects

Abacavir should be avoided by people who are in the high cardiovascular risk group. read more »

ASHM 2008: Immune deficiency driving growth of anal cancer

Unlike many diseases that have disappeared with the advent of HAARTHighly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy ??? aggressive treatment of HIV infection using several different drugs together., anal cancer has not, with rates in HIV-positive gay men now sitting at 1 in 1000, which is greater than rates of cervical cancer. read more »

ASHM 2008: Antiretrovirals and crystal meth

Associate Professor Jeffrey Klausner, Director of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control Services in San Francisco gave some disturbing news of the effects of regular use of methamphetamine (ice) by men who have sex with men. read more »

ASHM 2008: New treatments

Recent results from studies of some of newer antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. were presented at ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. . Here’s a brief summary. read more »

ASHM 2008: HIV seroconversions in older gay men

The UK’s InSIGHT study initially investigated why men between the ages of 35-44 years accounted for over a third of all new diagnoses of HIV in 2006 produced findings about HIV seroconversion among older gay men and why they had practised unprotected anal intercourse. read more »

ASHM 2008: Circumcision not recommended for Australia

Presentations at ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. reviewed data on male circumcision as an HIV prevention tool from the disciplines of epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population., mathematical modelling, health economics, and public health interventions. read more »

ASHM 2008: The Swiss Statement

Professor Pietro Vernazza, President of the Swiss Federal Commission on AIDS wasinvited by ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. to Australia to debate the statement as part of a panel. read more »

ASHM 2008: Older and HIV+

In recognition that we are starting to see a 'greying' of the epidemic, the ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. conference this year presented a plenary session on HIV and ageing and there was an unprecedented coverage of material around the issue. read more »

Young and HIV-positive: getting the hang of treatments

Daniel Reeders has done shifts for the Connect Line information and referral phone service run by PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS. Victoria in Melbourne. One night he received a particularly thought-provoking call… read more »

Sex, libido and HIV

If there is one issue that all HIV-positive people have to deal with, regardless of their level of health or whether they are on treatments or not, it’s sex. This article looks at the impact of HIV and HIV treatments on our sexual lives. read more »

Backgrounder

Epidemiology: Why is it important?

In times of significant change there are often many hard questions to answer. In the case of HIV, the footprints to public health understanding begin in epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population.. read more »