Understanding HIV treatments

Listening to those not on treatment

Graham Stocks — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:21:02 -0800

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.

ASHM calls for review of treating criteria

Graham Stocks — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:41:05 -0800

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.

Getting ready to start

Graham Stocks — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:09:00 -0800

Considering treatment? Peter Watts offers some advice.

HIV treatments uptake among PLHIV in Australia: health promotion and policy responses to reduce barriers to treatment uptake.

Graham Stocks — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:25:46 -0800

A review of HIV surveillance, clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. cohortIn epidemiology, a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohort study is a special kind of clinical trial which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people. and social research data suggests that many people living with HIV (PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA.) in Australia delay, cease or do not take up HIV antriretroviral therapy (ART) due to structural and psychological barriers.

This paper is a Poster presented at the Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference, Melbourne, 2012

Controversy over ‘when to start’ continues

Adrian Ogier — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:05:43 -0800

A lively debate occurred in a Conference session on when to start HIV treatment.

A key international speaker was Professor Steven Deeks who is based in San Francisco and a member of the US Department of Health and Human Services AntiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. Guidelines Panel.

When push comes to shove

Graham Stocks — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:41:18 -0700

Why do some of us refuse treatment? And how far will we go before we finally relent? JAMES MAY tells us his story.

Why treatment is good for you

Graham Stocks — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:52:48 -0700

Most people on treatment are on a combination that has reduced their 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. to an undetectable level and keeps it there. And this is a good thing. It means their immune systems are not being destroyed by HIV and they are not going to progress to AIDS.

Neil McKellar-Stewart thought it was time we looked at all the health benefits to us of being on treatment. So, he tracked down the research and here it is.

Making the best choices

Graham Stocks — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:55:45 -0700

Experience has shown that health outcomes are better if treatment and care is planned in partnership with your doctor.

That’s why we’ve updated our popular Checklist guide for people with HIV.

Start talking about HIV treatment: new campaign launched

Graham Stocks — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:34:43 -0700

Ita Buttrose launched 'Start the Conversation Today' NAPWA's national multi-media treatments campaign, on Friday 4 May. The campaign urges people living with HIV to get up to date with important new information about the benefits of HIV treatment for themselves and their partners. Many people with HIV are likely to be unaware of these advances.

New HIV treatment guidelines: a major step in revolutionising HIV treatment and prevention in Australia

Paul Kidd — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:00:00 -0700

NAPWA has welcomed the release of updated guidelines for treating HIV issued yesterday by the US Department of Health and Human Services. In a major shift, the new guidelines recommend that all people with HIV consider going on HIV treatment, whether recently infected or with more advanced HIV disease.

The new guidelines also note recent evidence about the additional benefit of taking HIV treatment in reducing HIV transmission and recommend that HIV treatment be offered to HIV positive people who are at risk of transmitting HIV to sexual partners.