HIV
New HIV cases in Queensland are at a five-year low
Rates of HIV diagnoses in Queensland have dropped by more than a third in the last five years, according to new data. Last year, 153 HIV notifications were reported to Queensland Health, compared with 245 in 2014. This is a drop of more than 37 per cent. Experts are attributing the declining rates to increased …
DocQ Retrospective: Dr Fiona Bisshop’s decade in review
After over ten years of the DocQ column, Dr Fiona Bisshop looks back over a decade of healthcare advances in her DocQ retrospective. I realised when I began to write this, on the cusp of a new decade, that the column is now over ten years old. A lot happened in that time, especially in …
Stonewall open for HIV & STI FAST testing over holiday break
Stonewall Medical Centre recently launched its pilot Fast Access Sexual Testing program (FAST) on Thursday nights. Stonewall remains open for HIV & STI FAST testing and other services over the Christmas/New Year break, except for public holidays. [PROMOTION] Faster sexual health screening means earlier treatments and earlier treatments mean earlier resolution with fewer complications. The …
Straight men outnumber gay men in new HIV cases in WA
A larger number of straight-identifying men in Western Australia were diagnosed with HIV than gay men in the last year. Among men who have sex with men in WA, the number of HIV diagnoses (20) was 51 percent lower this year compared to the previous five-year average. However, among straight-identifying men it was 21 percent …
Mardi Gras AGM passes Pride in Protest motion slamming PrEP maker Gilead
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras members have voted to pass a motion from left-wing activist group Pride in Protest challenging PrEP manufacturer Gilead’s sponsorship. The Pride in Protest group made headlines for their controversial Mardi Gras AGM motions to “disinvite” Prime Minister Scott Morrison and ban police floats. While those motions were ultimately defeated …
Domestic and family violence for PLHIV: No excuse… ever.
Domestic and family violence occurs in LGBTIQ+ relationships at approximately the same rates as in heterosexual relationships. Additionally, people living with HIV may experience specific types of abuse if they are in an unhealthy relationship. However, while living with HIV can cause stress and other problems, it is not a cause of, nor an excuse …
World AIDS Day 2019 around Australia and the world
On 1 December every year, people around the world stop to mark World AIDS Day. People from different cultures, faiths and political persuasions all put aside their differences to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourn those lost to it. Here are some images from World AIDS Day 2019 events across the globe. Participants …
World first HIV-positive sperm bank launches in New Zealand
New Zealand charities have launched the world’s first “HIV positive sperm bank” in an bid to reduce the stigma experienced by those living with the virus. Sperm Positive has started with three male donors from across New Zealand who are living with HIV but have an undetectable viral load. This does not cure the virus …
Federal government subsidises new HIV drug on PBS
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced HIV treatment drug Dovato will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making it a more affordable for Australians living with HIV. “From December 1, Australians living with HIV will save more than $8,500 a year with the listing of a new combination medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits …
Aussie gay men on PrEP suffer less anxiety, study finds
An Australian study has found gay and bisexual men taking HIV prevention medication PrEP also have significantly lower levels of HIV-related anxiety. PrEP was made available in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in April 2018. When taken as directed, the once-daily pill is up to 99% effective at preventing an HIV negative person from …