Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Swiss study states: no virus? = no infection?

Professor Bernard Hirschel, MD, of the University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland, declares that HIV-positive people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV. Stated at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston, MA, and based on an analysis of several studies over a long period of time, Hirschel’s bold statement has rocked the HIV community. There’s a lot of discussion on both sides of the debate. Hirschel, along with two other co-author’s, has disclosed the findings for several reasons including a series of court trials in Switzerland where HIV positive people have been accused of endangering others, who are HIV negative, through sexual relations. Hirschel argues that an HIV infected person on HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), with an undetectable viral load is not technically infectious. Others say that the absence of a risk can never really be proven. Does Hirschel’s study send the wrong message? Does it give hope? How do you feel about this statement?

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

HIV/AIDS and working life

Are you living with HIV and working? In the cover story of the current issue of living+ magazine, there is a feature entitled Back to Work: living and working with HIV. We have noticed a trend these days that as more people are becoming healthier, they are also returning to work. Stable antiretroviral drug regimens may be contributing to people’s health however there are still challenges in living with HIV. One person states that having HIV and working are accompanied by unique concerns not faced by the average worker. What are your experiences? If you have gone back to work recently, how have you managed? Share your experiences with others.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Facial Wasting and HIV/AIDS

Facial wasting/lipoatrophy is a serious medical condition that plagues many people living with HIV/AIDS. It can cause disfigurement and make people feel stigmatized. There are treatments for it, however, people with HIV have to pay out of their own pocket if they wish to have the necessary treatment procedures – which we say just isn’t right!
The BCPWA Society has been actively advocating to get medical services coverage for treatments used to correct facial lipoatrophy for people living with HIV/AIDS. We are now in discussions with the Ministry about this issue and awaiting an answer. In the meantime, we have organized a community forum on facial lipoatrophy. It will take place on Wednesday, March 26th at 6 pm at the Best Western Chateau Granville (corner of Granville and Helmcken). If you wish to attend this you need to rsvp to zorans@bcpwa.org If you have any comments or share experiences, please do so on this blog

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

HIV/AIDS & kidney problems

Kidney problems can occur amongst HIV-positive individuals and that some HIV medications may cause kidney-related side effects. Recent research shows that HIV treatments can help improve the health of kidneys in people with low CD4 counts. The results of this study showed that there are improvements in kidney function in people who started HIV medications with a CD4 count below 200, and whose viral load falls below 400 when they started HIV treatment. Researchers are implying that HIV may cause kidney problems for people with weak immune systems even before starting treatment. Do you think this is true? Are kidney problems caused by HIV medication side effects or is it HIV itself? What is your experience?