HIV & AIDS

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What You Need to Know about the New HIV Two-drug Regimens

Integrase inhibitors—potent antiretrovirals that quickly and powerfully suppress HIV—have allowed HIV researchers and clinicians to explore dosing regimens that involve fewer than three or four drugs. Proponents of dual therapy say that effective regimens involving fewer drugs will lower costs, decrease pill burden and reduce the potential for drug-drug interactions and side effects. But is it that simple? Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH “Two-drug regimens are exciting,” said Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, medical director of the Ward 86 HIV clinic at San Francisco General Hospital and associate division chief of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF. […]

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PrEP Scales Up, HIV Incidence Declines

As use of PrEP continues to grow, epidemiological evidence is starting to show a link between increased use and declines in new HIV infections. A study presented at the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam shows an association between higher PrEP use and lower HIV incidence in the U.S. These figures highlight ongoing disparities in PrEP use, with some of the groups who need effective HIV prevention being the least likely to use it. The Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada (tenofovir/emtricitabine) for HIV prevention in July 2012. For the past several years Gilead Sciences has been reporting PrEP use estimates from an […]

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HIV Care for People of Any Immigration Status in San Francisco Bay Area

Facing increasingly hostile immigration policies and rhetoric from the current administration, undocumented people in the U.S. are leading lives filled with fear and uncertainty. Fear of deportation or prosecution is preventing people from seeking social services including medical care, with potentially dire consequences for people living with chronic diseases such as HIV. “I think that as we have seen in the news a growing presence of ICE in communities—despite San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city—we are also seeing a growing trepidation and hesitation as people are seeking care,” said Liliana Schmitt, recruitment and retention coordinator for Clínica Esperanza at […]

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AIDS 2018 Told the Story of a Global Health Crisis

A community march in Amsterdam, where the 22nd International AIDS Conference was held. Photo by: Matthijs Immink / IAS AMSTERDAM — The fight to end HIV/AIDS was given a boost by a star-studded week of presentations, panel sessions and the occasional protest at this year’s International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam. However, tensions within the community remain, and with few new funding pledges announced, there are questions about how to translate strong rhetoric into action. Some 16,000 stakeholders from more than 160 countries gathered in the Dutch capital last week for AIDS 2018, the conference’s 22nd edition and one of the biggest events […]

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Rimming is Causing Outbreak of Rare STD Among Gay Men

The LGBT Foundation said there has been a recent rise in cases of shigella among men who have sex with men. Shigellosis, or shigella, is an intestinal infection caused when bacteria found in poo gets into your mouth. Last month, health officials in San Diego issued an advisory over the sexual transmitted infection. It said that gay and bisexual men, homeless individuals, and people with compromised immune systems could be at an increased risk for the intestinal disease. In 2017, San Diego recorded the highest number of cases in 20 years, including a disproportional increase in the gay and bisexual […]

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Criminalization of Homosexuality is Setting Back the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Anti-gay stigma in middle income countries is harming the global fight against HIV/AIDS, a report has warned today. The report, launched today by a cross-party group of UK parliamentarians on HIV and AIDS, warns that marginalised groups “risk falling behind in the HIV response” because of stigma. The No One Left Behind report highlights gaps in provisions for marginalised groups in middle income countries, as international donors are refocussing funding in poorer regions. It warns: “The aid landscape is changing with 70% of people living with HIV expected to live in middle income countries by 2020. As globally, donors are pulling […]

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What are the early signs of HIV in men?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, destroying a specific type of cell that helps the body fight off infections and diseases. This virus occurs more frequently in men than women. With effective treatment of antiretroviral medication, people with HIV can live healthy lives without the risk of transmitting the virus to others. In this article, we look at the early signs and symptoms of HIV in men, along with when they should take a test to ensure they receive effective treatment. Symptoms specific to men Early symptoms of HIV in men are often vague and unspecific. […]

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Closeted Men ‘Underestimate the HIV Risk’ From Having Gay Sex, Say Researchers

A new study has found that closeted men who have gay sex may be underestimating the risk of catching HIV. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that public health messages should be used to target men who aren’t open about having gay sex because this group has been “neglected.” The study revealed that men who weren’t open about their sexuality – and who had sex with other closeted men – were more likely to contract HIV from each other, instead of from out gay or bisexual men. The researchers believe these men are less likely to take on board prevention messages, decreasing […]

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Even with PrEP, HIV Stigma & Discrimination is Still a Thing

I remember feeling confused and angry the first few times I was blocked or rejected by an online prospect who said they were on PrEP. David Duran I was confused, because—in every case—there was interest right up until I disclosed my HIV status. I started feeling angry when I realized and confirmed that it was because of my HIV status that the guys I was chatting with were no longer interested. I ended up asking one of the guys I was chatting with what had caused him to lose interest, and it wasn’t without some probing that he told me […]

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The 10 Best Blogs for HIV and AIDS

Receiving an HIV diagnosis can change your life overnight and will probably stir up a cocktail of emotions. However, reading blogs written by other people who have HIV and healthcare professionals can help you understand you’re not alone. HIV blogs, written by those with HIV and healthcare professionals, can provide coping strategies and support. HIV now affects roughly 1.1 million people in the United States, and of these, roughly 1 in 7 won’t know that they have it. Research and improved treatments are now enabling more and more people with HIV to lead better-quality lives and live longer than ever […]

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