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Healthy living

For people with HIV, maintaining good health through having a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever. Healthy eating, exercise and the impacts of smoking and drug use are covered in this section of the website.

HIV & hepatitis A, B & C

Resource • 14 January 2010

This Treataware fact sheet explains the issues for people with HIV/AIDS around coinfection with hepatitis A, B & C, including ways to minimise risk and treatment options. read more »

Does smoking have a hold on you?

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 December 2009

Based on material from the Queeensland Smoking Cessation Working Party of Queensland Positive People (QPP) "Positively Quitting" campaign, this article may give you the motivation to break the habit! read more »

Sugar in the Blood

Positive Living article • Neil McKellar Stewart • 1 December 2009

It’s a normal day in the diabetes[Diabetes mellitus[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.] 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 effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs. clinic of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. In the waiting room are three people waiting to see the specialist. One is a short, elderly woman of eastern European extraction. Another is an overweight man in his sixties. And the third is a lean, fitlooking man in his early forties who happens to be living with HIV. Neil McKellar-Stewart finds out why HIV puts us in the room. read more »

Illicit and recreational drugs

From HIV Tests and Treatments • 12 August 2009

There’s not a lot known about how HIV treatments interact with illicit or recreational drugs, though this is changing. Although it is not recommended or advised that recreational drugs be consumed, if you do take recreational drugs, there are some common cautions you could follow: read more »

    Breaking the ice

    Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009

    A report on research into the use of crystal methamphetamine (ice) by positive men. read more »

    Webcast – HIV Health and Treatments Update 2008

    Story • Bill Whittaker • 5 December 2008

    HIV positive? Want to hear the latest about HIV treatments and health? You should, because there have been important developments in HIV treatments over the past year. To catch up with the latest information, watch a webcast of a community treatment update held in Sydney on 25 November. read more »

    Looking after your health: HIV and Recreational drugs

    From Next steps • 1 December 2008

    Using recreational drugs is likely to further suppress your immune system. The effects can be harmful for both the short and longer term. read more »

    What’s your problem?

    Positive Living article • Dr Louise Owen • 25 November 2008

    Your chance to ask an HIV-experienced doctor about any medical query you might have. We are grateful to Dr Louise Owen, medical director of the Centre Clinic in St Kilda, who will be answering your questions. read more »

    ASHM 2008: Antiretrovirals and crystal meth

    Positive Living article • David Menadue • 25 November 2008

    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 »

    Mediterranean diet lowers diabetes risk

    Positive Living article • David Menadue • 22 July 2008

    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[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.] 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 effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs. according to a recent studyA 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. 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 IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. read more »

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    HIV Clinical Trials update