HIV
Is rampant HIV responsible for emergence of Omicron?
As researchers race to learn more about Omicron, one theory focuses on rampant HIV in Southern Africa. COVID can persist for months in people with compromised immune systems. Scientists believe the increased time span offers increased opportunities for the virus to mutate. While a manageable, chronic disease in western countries, rampant HIV remains a reality …
HIV self-tests are coming to Australian pharmacies
Australians will soon be able to test themselves for HIV at home with self-test kits soon to go on sale at pharmacies. The test kits will cost $25 each. From mid-December they’ll be available, initially at Serafim’s pharmacy in Sydney’s Taylor Square and Western Australia’s 777 pharmacy network. More pharmacies around the country will also …
Call for Aussies to catch up on HIV checks as testing numbers plunge
Experts have urged all Australians at risk of HIV to get caught up on their testing and prophylactic treatment after a dramatic drop in HIV tests due to the pandemic. This Wednesday (December 1) is World AIDS Day, which this year commemorates 40 years of HIV. Speaking ahead of World AIDS Day, advocacy group Living …
Gay Community Periodic Surveys: Champions of Change
Rebecca Reynolds writes on the contribution of changemakers within our communities. Right now, the annual Gay Community Periodic Survey is taking place. Recently, QC launched the inclusive chosen families General Practice, QCGP+. Changemakers recognise what needs to change and act to make it happen. They recognise that things may not look different on a day-to-day …
Netflix’s Sex Education just gave us an amazing 30-second HIV lesson
Queer viewers of Netflix’s teen comedy-drama Sex Education have applauded the show for featuring an important HIV lesson. Sex Education‘s third season arrived on the streaming service this week. The series follows a group of students at a British high school, including Otis, the son of a sex therapist. In episode four of the latest …
People living with HIV at higher risk of dying from COVID-19
A new study out of the World Health Organization has determined those living with HIV have a significantly higher risk of dying of COVID-19. The WHO’s report is based on clinical data from 37 countries and almost 270,000 people. The researchers examined the risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV) hospitalised …
Big Aussie study shows incredible effectiveness of daily PrEP against HIV
Over 9,000 gay and bi men in New South Wales who took HIV prevention pill PrEP over three years had an HIV transmission rate 90% lower than otherwise expected, researchers say. PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a once-daily pill that dramatically reduces the risk of HIV transmission for HIV-negative people. A new research study from …
Push for Australia to follow UK’s new policy for gay blood donors
Australia’s blood donation authorities should follow the lead of their UK counterparts and lift blanket bans on gay men donating blood, LGBTIQ advocates say. On Monday, the UK began new blood donation rules assessing the risk of donors individually. The new policy replaces blanket restrictions on gay and bisexual men. Under the rules, male donors …
How the first AIDS cases were officially reported 40 years ago this month
This month, the world is marked 40 years since the first five cases of AIDS were officially reported in the United States. On June 5, 1981 the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) included a now-historic report in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). It described five cases of rare Pneumocystis carinii …
‘No more stigma’: Actor Billy Porter shares he’s living with HIV
Pose actor Billy Porter has shared that he has lived with HIV for 14 years in a powerful new interview. The 51-year-old actor, who plays queer ballroom MC Pray Tell on the drama, opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about receiving the diagnosis in 2007. Porter said he received the news during a doctor’s checkup …