HIV prevention

Zinc fingers make HIV-resistant T-cells

Graham Stocks — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:29:54 -0800

GeneThe most basic unit of genetic information. therapy that interferes with co-receptors on the surface of T-cells can protect these cells from HIV infection, and represents a potential first step toward a ‘functional cure’ for HIV.

Our combo-prevention future

Graham Stocks — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:17:43 -0800

In his opening address at the conference, Graeme Brown, AFAO’s outgoing President, acknowledged the enormous challenges we are facing in Australia at the moment, midway through our Sixth National HIV Strategy.

Report from Rome - 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention

Graham Stocks — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:40:18 -0700

The 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention was held in Rome last week from 17-20 July. This meeting is held every two years and alternates with the much larger World AIDS Conferences also organised by the International AIDS Society (IAS).

HIV. No big deal?

Graham Stocks — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:56:34 -0700

‘So, what’s the big deal about having HIV?’ This is what a friend asked David Menadue, recently.

‘You look okay. It’s a manageable condition, now,’ he said. ‘Sometimes I think you guys make too much fuss about it all.’

New hope for vaccine

Graham Stocks — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:48:14 -0700

Melbourne university researchers have identified antibodies in a breakthrough that brings closer the hope of developing an effective vaccine.

A study of 100 people with HIV, recruitedThe act of signing up participants into a study. Generally this process involves evaluating a participant with respect to the eligibility criteria of the study and going through the informed consent process. from The Alfred Hospital and the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, has shown that antibodies were so successful in suppressing the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. that it had to mutate around them.

Treatment reduces transmission risk

Graham Stocks — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:31:55 -0700

We have known for some time that HAARTHighly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy ??? aggressive treatment of HIV infection using several different drugs together. reduces the likelihood of transmitting HIV, and the recent results from a large clinical 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. seem to confirm the fact . . . in heterosexual couples, at least.

HIV treatments as prevention findings welcomed by people living with HIV

Graham Stocks — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:25:56 -0700

Today’s announcement that a clinical 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. has found that HIV antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. treatment significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission is welcome news, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said.

What's Your Problem?

Graham Stocks — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:02:44 -0800

Doctor Louise answers readers' questions. In this issue she discusses Hepatitis C infection and unprotected sex.

Wrapped or Raw - Positive Life NSW

Paul Kidd — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:23:37 -0800

‘WRAPPED OR RAW’ looks at choices made by pos guys about using condoms in pos-pos sex and offers information and options to minimise risk (like STIs[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). – sexually transmissible infections) and have great sex.

For further information, visit http://www.wrappedorraw.org.au/.

Microbicides, PrEP and treatment as prevention

Graham Stocks — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:05:30 -0700

Significant advances in HIV prevention were unveiled at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, with research advancing on several fronts towards new prevention technologies. Paul Kidd reports.