Eight years ago Deanna was overweight and having trouble with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Becoming pregnant was the impetus for a change in how she approached managing her health. Deanna transformed her body shape and health through exercise. Now she works a personal trainer and runs fitness programs for other people with HIV.

NAPWA positve women have recently endorsed new Terms of reference for the advisory group.

For women living with HIV, the decision to have children can be one of the most difficult choices they make. For women who are diagnosed HIV positive at the time they are becoming mothers, those decisions can be especially urgent and confronting. In this extract from her new book, KARALYN McDONALD shares the stories of several women who have dealt with the twin realities of pregnancy and diagnosis.

Report from the National Positive Women’s Portfolio presented to the NAPWA Special General Meeting held 29-30 April 2006.

!(thumbnail)/files/atpafs_arv_thumb.jpg( )! This ATPA fact sheet is a quick reference to the factors people with HIV and their doctors need to consider when choosing an antiretroviral treatment regimen.

A poster presentation from the 2005 ASHM Conference held in Hobart, Tasmania.

With major medical conferences in the United States and Scotland, November was a busy month for HIV medicine. PAUL KIDD reviews some key findings.

Studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of antenatal HIV testing in Australia, published earlier this year, have reignited the debate about routine testing of pregnant women. But the experience of women in neighbouring countries shows that the woman’s privacy and confidentiality needs to be respected first. SUSAN PAXTON examines the issues.

Getting an HIV diagnosis inevitably raises deep emotions and sometimes crippling fear, but it can also be a moment of catharsis and empowerment, the beginning of a process of taking charge and deciding what’s most important to you in your life.

Some HIV positive women may feel or be told that they cannot or should not have children. This can cause great sadness and is incorrect.

The risk of transmitting HIV to your child can be as low as 1-2% if: