NAPWA

Vorinostat research at CROI

Last year, a small study was launched in Melbourne to test whether a drug called vorinostat could force HIV out of cells where it is lying dormant. The hypothesisA supposition or assumption advanced as a basis for reasoning or argument, or as a guide to experimental investigation. being tested was that if ‘resting’ HIV can be driven into the bloodstream, then regular ART may be able to clear it from the body. read more »

New study reveals good evidence for beginning treatment early . . . really early

A new study has found that people who start antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. therapy within the first four months of seroconverting have a far better CD4 t-cell recovery rate than those who don’t.

The study, co-authored by Monash University’s Associate Professor Edwina Wright, followed 468 PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. for four years. read more »

Continuing your dental care

The Chronic Disease Dental Scheme helped many PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. get some much-needed and, in some cases, very overdue dental work. It also got many of us back into the habit of seeing a dentist regularly.

Now that the scheme has ended, it’s important we still keep on top of our dental health.

If you hold a concession card, you may choose to source free care from public dental hospitals. read more »

The smoking will get you before the HIV does

While there is evidence that the inflammation and metabolic changes associated with HIV do increase our risk of developing things like cardiovascular disease and cancers, another risk factor plays a much more significant role in shortening lives. read more »

Listening to those not on treatment

In this current climate of pro-treatment, people who are not taking antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. therapy (ART) can feel like a minority whose voice is not being heard.

This is why NAPWHA has partnered with researchers Limin Mao and Henrike Körner from the National Centre in HIV Social Research to conduct interviews with people who are currently not on ART. read more »

ASHM calls for review of treating criteria

Currently, ART is only subsidised through 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. for PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. commencing treatment with a CD4 T-cell count of less than 500 or who are symptomatic.

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. ) has called for a review of these criteria. read more »

Life insurance now an option

Once upon a time, HIV was viewed as too much of an insurance risk. But these days, some Australian companies are offering full policies for people living with HIV. read more »

NSW campaign to end HIV

In early February, NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner launched ACON's ending HIV campaign.

‘On World AIDS Day Minister Skinner launched the NSW HIV Strategy 2012-2015, which includes a plan to reduce HIV transmission among gay men in NSW by 80% over the next 10 years,’ says ACON President, Mark Orr. read more »

You want that wrapped?

The sort of sex that positive men do together is not something that gets talked about too often.

But Positive Life NSW wants to change all that. read more »

Like a friend dropping by with advice

'Get Happy’ is a smartphone app that does just that.

Using techniques that are based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the ‘Get Happy’ app was developed by clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. psychologist Dr Lisa Patterson-Kane.

A message is delivered each day to your phone in one of four categories: relationships, personal growth, leisure or work and education.

It’s nothing earth shattering. read more »

A little can go a long way

Gone are the days of multiple daily dosing and battling horrendous side effects to achieve viral suppression. Newer generation drugs can achieve much with a lot less effort.

Armed with this knowledge, David Anders made the transition from standard triple combination therapyHighly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy ??? aggressive treatment of HIV infection using several different drugs together. to a lighter regimen of boosted darunavir monotherapy. read more »

Treatments of tomorrow

There are numerous new HIV treatments currently in development. A few are already approved overseas and likely to arrive in Australia soon. Some are exciting prospects. Others look promising. All are quite hard to pronounce. read more »

Sex C

There is a growing concern that hepatitis C (HCVHepatitis C virus.) is more easily transmitted sexually among HIV positive gay men than previously thought.

Jae Condon investigates the sexual transmission of hepatitis C. read more »

Superfoods

Most of us know Jo Watson as the executive Director of NAPWHA, but away from the office Jo displays a passion for cooking. So, we asked her to share one of her favourite recipes using a ‘superfood’. She chose to use beetroot in a beetroot and goat cheese tart. read more »

Coping with loss and grief

State of Mind: the column where therapists recommend techniques we can employ to deal with the symptoms of anxiety or depression. In this issue, Loretta Healey offers some practical wisdom to help those coping with loss and grief. read more »

PLHIV Directory

The PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. Directory lists services, programs and events of interest to HIV positive people.

It appears once a year in the autumn edition.

PDF of the latest Directory is attached for downloading. read more »