NAPWA

Alcohol, other drugs and depression

In partnership with NAPWHA, the National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSRNational Centre in HIV Social Research. Located at the University of NSW in Sydney, NCHSR conducts research which describes and analyses the social understandings, meanings and practices of peoples, institutions and communities in relation to HIV, Hepatitis C and other communicable diseases.) recently completed a three-year study into HIV and depression. read more »

Erectile dysfunction linked to cardio risk

Data from two recent studies suggest that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common manifestation of cardiovascular risk. read more »

Darunavir expanded access

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. (PBS) has extended access to the new protease inhibitorA type of anti-HIV drug that works by preventing the production of an enzyme, protease, that HIV needs to replicate., darunavir, now making it an option for more people. read more »

Acne drug fights latent HIV

Johns Hopkins scientists have found that a safe and inexpensive antibiotic used since the 1970s to treat acne effectively targets dormant HIVinfected immune cells and prevents them from reactivating and replicating. read more »

Serodiscordant study

While it has long been acknowledged that successful antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. treatment and an undetectable viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. lowers the risk of passing on HIV, we have little research to support the fact. read more »

Sixth National HIV Strategy launched

While welcoming the launch late last month of the new HIV strategy, there is also concern within the sector that without effective implementation, the strategy’s goals cannot be achieved. read more »

Herpes and HIV transmission risk

A number of studies have shown that there is a higher risk of HIV transmission if one or both sex partners have genital ulcers. read more »

NSW out of step with national strategies

The federal government’s sixth national HIV and STI[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). strategies have been welcomed for their human rights-based approach to HIV and the law and their focus on an ‘enabling environment’ to bring about positive change. read more »

Exercise goes to the dogs

Scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) have identified that the decrease in physical activity that occurs when a person loses a dog is significantly greater than the increase that occurs when they get one. read more »

Simple guide to HIV treatment and care for non-nationals

In association with the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ), NAPWHA has developed a simple step-by-step guide for overseas visitors and new residents living with HIV. read more »

News Briefs

New drug cures hard-to-treat hep C

People who fail current hepatitis C treatment have few other options except trying the same drugs again, but an experimental(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy, and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. antiviralA medication or substance which is active against one or more viruses. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretrovirals. drug is poised to change all that. read more »

News Briefs

New NRTI no more

Melbourne-based biotech Avexa has announced the closure of its lead HIV program for apricitabine after failing to attract a licensing partner for the 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. drug. read more »

Steps towards a healthy heart

Good cardio health is becoming more and more important for people with HIV. Sean Slavin explains why and the steps we can take to improve our prospects. read more »

Crystal meth and HIV

We’ve all heard about it.Some of us have tried it. A few of us use it regularly. Dr Fiona Bisshop reminds us of the dangers. read more »

Pages from an abandoned journal

As a young man, John Rule remembers trawling through bookshops looking for a history, some way to understand the burgeoning of gay life that he was a part of in Sydney at the time. read more »

Tales from the Network

Tales from The network

There is a network of workers located at AIDS Councils and PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. organisations around Australasia who understand the variety of treatment issues faced by positive people. We call them the Treataware Outreach Network.

Here is another of their stories. read more »