NAPWA

Cure must be a priority

Finding a cure for HIV must be prioritised, said Sharon Lewin of Melbourne’s Monash University, in a keynote address at the opening session of the AIDS 2010 conference. read more »

News from IAS 2010

Adrian Ogier gives a round up of treatments news from the Vienna Conference. read more »

Ways and means to lower lipids

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDAThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The Australian equivalent is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).) recently issued a warning to people taking the highest approved dose of simvastatin, a common cholesterolAn essential component of cell membranes and nerve fibre insulation, cholesterol is important for the metabolism and transport of fatty acids and the production of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver, and is also present in certain foods. High blood cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and may be a side effect of some anti-HIV medications.-lowering medication, that they have an increased risk of muscle injury compared to people taking lower doses of the drug. read more »

The gift of the Gabe

Katherine Leane's warm tribute to Gabe McCarthy who passed away on 30th June this year. read more »

New drug effect on inflammation

TBR-652, 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. antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV., seems to have dual benefits – inhibiting HIV and reducing inflammation.

Delegates to the conference heard that this is because the drug blocks two receptors on the surface of cells: CCR5 – used by HIV; and CCR2 – used by a protein associated with inflammation. read more »

HPV vaccine also works for men

The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) prevents infection and disease in men, according to data presented by Dr Heiko Jessen from Berlin.

In fact, the efficacy(Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the standard procedure, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it. data was so good that the US Food and Drug AdministrationThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The Australian equivalent is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). stopped the trial early so that men in the placeboA dummy medical treatment, designed to have no pharmacological effect, administered to the control group of a clinical trial. group could get the vaccine. read more »

Dentists receive the drilling

It has benefitted many PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. since it was adopted in 2007, but the Medicare dental rebate scheme is currently receiving full-on root canal surgery. read more »

Brush your teeth for a healthy heart

Regular tooth-brushing could help stave off cardiovascular disease, according to a study from Scotland.

Brushing less than twice daily is thought to be a major cause of periodontal diseaseDisease of the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, the periodontal membrane and the underlying bone. Periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis, is the most common cause of loss of teeth in adults. People with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk of developing periodontal disease, even with good oral hygiene. and may also impair cardiovascular health. read more »

Symptoms of a greater problem?

Understanding symptoms is critical to understanding how someone is experiencing illness. As well as affecting quality of life, particularly bothersome symptoms can impact on adherence to treatment and could be a signal of drug toxicity or some other problem. read more »

Egrifta reduces lipo belly fat

There is currently no effective drug treatment available for the treatmen of excess abdominal fat caused by lipodystrophy – but that could change very soon. read more »

More drugs for your script

HIV s100 doctors are now able to prescribe up to two months supply plus five repeats of HIV drugs, under changes introduced by Medicare on 1 July.

While previously limited to prescribing one month’s supply with two repeats, now doctors have more flexibility in determining what they think is right for the patient. read more »

Raltegravir approved for first line

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 broadened access to raltegravir (Isentress) beyond treatment-experienced adults.

Raltegravir is now also available for people who are first starting HIV treatment.

Raltegravir + Truvada is now one of four preferred commencing regimens in the Australian HIV Treatment Guidelines. read more »

Ways and means to lower lipids

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDAThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The Australian equivalent is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).) recently issued a warning to people taking the highest approved dose of simvastatin, a common cholesterolAn essential component of cell membranes and nerve fibre insulation, cholesterol is important for the metabolism and transport of fatty acids and the production of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver, and is also present in certain foods. High blood cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and may be a side effect of some anti-HIV medications.-lowering medication, that they have an increased risk of muscle injury compared to people taking lower doses of the drug. read more »

Eating calmly

With all this talk about inflammation, Adrian Ogier thought it was worth investigating the anti-inflammatory diet.

The theory of the anti-inflammatory diet is pretty simple. It goes that some foods have a ‘calming’ or anti-inflammatory affect on your body while others don’t. read more »

Food to live by

Wollumbin, in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, is the first place in Australia to see the sun. It is also where thirty-five gay men with HIV retreated recently for a long weekend of good food, courtesy of Shane Duniam. read more »

Ageing, long-term complications and nutrition

Reporting back from the AIDS Conference in Vienna, DAVID MENADUE discovers that ‘HIV and ageing’ is a universal issue, that long-term complications may be more prevalent than we thought and that good nutrition really is a good idea. read more »

Microbicides, PrEP and treatment as prevention

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. read more »

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 (TON). read more »