HIV is spread by 4 bodily fluids - semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk.
These 4 fluids are related to 4 ways that HIV is spread - sex, sharing needles, contact with blood, and mother-to-baby. Sex includes vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Sharing needles can be for drug use or for tattooing or body piercing. Contact with someone else's blood can be unsafe, but donating blood or receiving a blood transfusion is safe because all blood has been tested for HIV since 1985. If a woman is pregnant and has HIV, she can spread it to her baby, or by breastfeeding.
These 4 fluids and 4 ways that spread HIV are the only ones. It is very important to know how HIV is and is not spread so we can protect ourselves.
There is no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS.
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Monday, August 13, 2007
Abstinence programmes don't stop HIV
DO PROGRAMMES that promote sexual abstinence help cut HIV rates? The question matters, because the US government says they do and directs its funding accordingly. But when Kristen Underhill's team at the University of Oxford, UK, examined the literature, they found that almost all the evidence suggests not.
They studied 13 trials of US-based abstinence programmes and found that none helped to reduce the incidence of unprotected sex or cut the number of partners that young people slept with (BMJ, vol 335, p 248). A similar lack of success has already been found in abstinence projects in developing countries.
The paper is the second knock to US HIV/AIDS policy in recent weeks. The government also requires that the organisations it funds sign a pledge saying they oppose prostitution. HIV/AIDS organisations say this means they stigmatise groups they are meant to be helping and point towards a recent review which found that HIV programmes that target sex workers are effective in cutting infection rates (PLoS Medicine, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040207).
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They studied 13 trials of US-based abstinence programmes and found that none helped to reduce the incidence of unprotected sex or cut the number of partners that young people slept with (BMJ, vol 335, p 248). A similar lack of success has already been found in abstinence projects in developing countries.
The paper is the second knock to US HIV/AIDS policy in recent weeks. The government also requires that the organisations it funds sign a pledge saying they oppose prostitution. HIV/AIDS organisations say this means they stigmatise groups they are meant to be helping and point towards a recent review which found that HIV programmes that target sex workers are effective in cutting infection rates (PLoS Medicine, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040207).
read more
US FDA Approves First in New Class of HIV Drug
Pfizer’s maraviroc, the first in a new class of HIV drugs formulated to stop HIV virus from entering the immune system, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has approved the drug since 50 to 60 per cent of people infected by HIV, have forms of the virus that bind to CCR5.
The drug will also have a warning of possible liver damage. In spite of these safety concerns, the drug has been put on fast-track by FDA due to increasing drug resistance. read more
The FDA has approved the drug since 50 to 60 per cent of people infected by HIV, have forms of the virus that bind to CCR5.
The drug will also have a warning of possible liver damage. In spite of these safety concerns, the drug has been put on fast-track by FDA due to increasing drug resistance. read more
News - HIV cases in UK jump nearly 20%
The number of people infected with HIV in the UK is increasing rapidly, says a report.
There were 5,711 new diagnoses during the year to September. Of these, 3,305 were heterosexually acquired and 1,691 were amongst gay and bisexual men.
Dr Kevin Fenton, an HPA HIV public health consultant, said: “The problems we face with HIV are not going away, despite it being a disease that is largely preventable.”
The HPA report also found that increases in high-risk sexual behaviour amongst gay and bisexual men have led to significant rises in the rates of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).read more
There were 5,711 new diagnoses during the year to September. Of these, 3,305 were heterosexually acquired and 1,691 were amongst gay and bisexual men.
Dr Kevin Fenton, an HPA HIV public health consultant, said: “The problems we face with HIV are not going away, despite it being a disease that is largely preventable.”
The HPA report also found that increases in high-risk sexual behaviour amongst gay and bisexual men have led to significant rises in the rates of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).read more
« News - What is the greatest medical milestone?
Temporary increases in HIV levels in patients under treatment generally do not mean the virus is developing resistance to drugs, US research finds.they were more likely to be a statistical quirk.
Concern about the blips have led to costly repeat testing, and in some cases alterations in therapy, which have now been shown probably to have been unnecessary.
Lead researcher Dr Robert Siliciano said: “These results should provide relief to hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients currently taking drug therapy, called highly active anti-retroviral therapy, or HAART, and reassure them that their medications have not failed
The researchers have calculated that unless the blip is higher than 200 copies per millilitre of blood, or persists upon repeated testing, it does not signal that the virus has mutated, and that the drugs are losing their effectread more
Concern about the blips have led to costly repeat testing, and in some cases alterations in therapy, which have now been shown probably to have been unnecessary.
Lead researcher Dr Robert Siliciano said: “These results should provide relief to hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients currently taking drug therapy, called highly active anti-retroviral therapy, or HAART, and reassure them that their medications have not failed
The researchers have calculated that unless the blip is higher than 200 copies per millilitre of blood, or persists upon repeated testing, it does not signal that the virus has mutated, and that the drugs are losing their effectread more
News - UK HIV drug resistance increasing
A team of UK researchers warn progress in cutting death and disease from HIV could be imperilled.
They studied 2,357 people with HIV, and found 335 (14%) had some level of resistance to at least one drug before they had even begun therapy.
But the latest finding suggested that people were now being infected with forms of HIV that were drug resistant from the outset - in many cases through unsafe sex with somebody who had undergone treatment.
We should pay more attention about HIV,believe science ,believe self,......read more
They studied 2,357 people with HIV, and found 335 (14%) had some level of resistance to at least one drug before they had even begun therapy.
But the latest finding suggested that people were now being infected with forms of HIV that were drug resistant from the outset - in many cases through unsafe sex with somebody who had undergone treatment.
We should pay more attention about HIV,believe science ,believe self,......read more
FDA Approves Maraviroc, First Drug in New Class of Anti-HIV Medications
On August 6, 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved maraviroc (Selzentry), the first drug to be approved in the CCR5 coreceptor antagonist class of anti-HIV medications.
Maraviroc has been approved for use in conjunction with other antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced adults who have exclusively CCR5-tropic HIV virus, evidence of viral replication, and resistance to multiple antiretroviral medications. read more
Uganda: Ugawood Budding, But HIV/Aids is Forgotten
Even with all the accolades the country has won in the past for bringing down the infection rates of HIV/Aids against all odds, Ugandan filmmakers are giving the disease a wide berth. But if the people are increasingly moving away from Nigerian films to indigenous ones, the message on how to avoid catching HIV/Aids has not been top of the agenda
if the people are increasingly moving away from Nigerian films to indigenous ones, the message on how to avoid catching HIV/Aids has not been top of the agenda. The best attempts at preaching the message are not by local directors but by people who have come from abroad. These are also few.
When HIV broke out in Uganda, the people looked to the authorities to provide answers and they adhered to the provided solutions because they did not know how best to react. The government told them to "zero graze," "to stay faithful to one sexual partner," to test for their sero status. Falling short of these guidelines was a matter of death. And Ugandans were running scared.read more
if the people are increasingly moving away from Nigerian films to indigenous ones, the message on how to avoid catching HIV/Aids has not been top of the agenda. The best attempts at preaching the message are not by local directors but by people who have come from abroad. These are also few.
When HIV broke out in Uganda, the people looked to the authorities to provide answers and they adhered to the provided solutions because they did not know how best to react. The government told them to "zero graze," "to stay faithful to one sexual partner," to test for their sero status. Falling short of these guidelines was a matter of death. And Ugandans were running scared.read more
New HIV Drug Curbs Drug-Resistant HIV
July 5, 2007 -- An experimental HIV drug called etravirine may help treat drug-resistant HIV as part of an HIV drug "cocktail" that also includes the HIV medication Prezista.
"This study is one of the most significant worldwide HIV/AIDS clinical trials in recent years," says researcher William Towner, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, in a Kaiser Permanente news release.
Towner is the medical director of Kaiser Permanente Southern California's HIV/AIDS Research Trials. He is also the Kaiser Permanente Southern California regional HIV/AIDS physician coordinator. read more
"This study is one of the most significant worldwide HIV/AIDS clinical trials in recent years," says researcher William Towner, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, in a Kaiser Permanente news release.
Towner is the medical director of Kaiser Permanente Southern California's HIV/AIDS Research Trials. He is also the Kaiser Permanente Southern California regional HIV/AIDS physician coordinator. read more
AIDS combat
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) on Wednesday approved a measure that will provide $3 million annually, as well as a one-time grant of $1 million, to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS treatment in the state, the Columbia State reports.
The funds also will be used to reduce the number of people on the waiting list for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. As of June 29, the state’s ADAP waiting list stood at 362 people (Reid, Columbia State, 6/29). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. read more
The funds also will be used to reduce the number of people on the waiting list for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. As of June 29, the state’s ADAP waiting list stood at 362 people (Reid, Columbia State, 6/29). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. read more
Taking New HIV Meds?
Welcome to the Your Everyday Support (Y.E.S.) Program for TRUVADA® (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). You took an important step when you and your healthcare provider decided to make once-daily TRUVADA part of your HIV regimen.
Whether you're just starting treatment for the first time or you have switched to TRUVADA from another med, this program can help you get the most of your treatment.
This program is your chance to say "YES" to sticking with your HIV meds to help make your treatment successful. Making a personal commitment to take 100% of your meds can help you reach your treatment goals. The TRUVADA Y.E.S. Program is there to support you by providing the inspiration, tools and resources you need to help you stay on track.
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Whether you're just starting treatment for the first time or you have switched to TRUVADA from another med, this program can help you get the most of your treatment.
This program is your chance to say "YES" to sticking with your HIV meds to help make your treatment successful. Making a personal commitment to take 100% of your meds can help you reach your treatment goals. The TRUVADA Y.E.S. Program is there to support you by providing the inspiration, tools and resources you need to help you stay on track.
read more
NIAID HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program
Goal of Study
The NIH is conducting a research study to evaluate patients who have been able to control the progression of HIV for long periods without the use of antiretroviral therapy. Some immune system-related genes have been identified in people who are often labeled “long-term non-progressors” (LTNP).
These HLA genes include B27, B35, B44, B57, B58 and/or A02. We will conduct genetic testing, blood collection and tissue sampling in the hope of better understanding how some rare individuals can suppress HIV without medications. Volunteers will be compensated.
Study Regimen
We will collect white blood cells by a process called leukapheresis, a standard blood collection procedure, which will remove white cells first, and then replace the red cells, through the same needle. We will accept HIV+ participants who meet the eligibility criteria listed below. Volunteers will be compensated
read more
The NIH is conducting a research study to evaluate patients who have been able to control the progression of HIV for long periods without the use of antiretroviral therapy. Some immune system-related genes have been identified in people who are often labeled “long-term non-progressors” (LTNP).
These HLA genes include B27, B35, B44, B57, B58 and/or A02. We will conduct genetic testing, blood collection and tissue sampling in the hope of better understanding how some rare individuals can suppress HIV without medications. Volunteers will be compensated.
Study Regimen
We will collect white blood cells by a process called leukapheresis, a standard blood collection procedure, which will remove white cells first, and then replace the red cells, through the same needle. We will accept HIV+ participants who meet the eligibility criteria listed below. Volunteers will be compensated
read more
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