hiv/aids
AskDocQ: Keep calm and stay PrEP’d
Australian Steve Spencer has become the seventh person worldwide known to have contracted HIV while taking prevention drug PrEP, out of an estimated 450,000 users around the globe. The medication has proved to be a highly effective HIV prevention strategy and has dramatically reduced rates of infection, writes Brisbane LGBTIQ health specialist Dr Fiona Bisshop. …
Sydney man who contracted HIV while taking PrEP opens up about diagnosis
A Sydney man has become the second gay Australian to contract HIV while taking prevention medication PrEP. Steve Spencer returned a positive diagnosis in December during one of his regular sexual health tests, a requirement for people taking the pre-exposure prophylaxis pills. “It was a surprise and a shock,” the 27-year-old told ABC News. “I …
Doctors say second HIV patient is in ‘long-term remission’
An HIV-positive patient in London has become the second known adult in the world to be cleared of the virus after receiving a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-resistant donor, his doctors have announced. The man began antiretroviral therapy for HIV in 2012 and that same year was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood …
OPINION: The Freddie Mercury Story That Goes Untold In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
By Laurie Marhoefer, University of Washington Millions of people will tune in to the Oscars to see Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, compete for best picture. There are already a lot of people cheering against it. Bohemian Rhapsody has been dogged by accusations of homophobia, and the film’s director, Bryan Singer, …
Donald Trump ‘To Unveil Plan To End HIV Transmissions In US By 2030’
US President Donald Trump will announce a plan to end HIV transmissions in the country by 2030 in his upcoming State of the Union address, according to reports. Four sources told Politico that Trump will outline a ten-year strategy, focusing on communities with higher cases of HIV infections for the first five years and continue …
ACT leader urges gay blood donor reforms
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced he will call for federal Labor to change the party’s platform on gay blood donors. The Labor Party hold their national conference this weekend. Australia has a 12-month deferral period on donating blood for men who have sex with another man in the last 12 months. Although meant to …
AIDS Off Queensland’s Monitored Diseases List To Put Focus On HIV
HIV experts have welcomed the state government’s removal of AIDS as a monitored disease in Queensland, but have warned of upcoming challenges in HIV prevention and treatment. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said on Tuesday new regulation changes will see AIDS removed from the state’s notifiable conditions schedule, to shift the focus to ending HIV. …
Study Finds HIV Treatment Prevents Transmission Between Partners
An Australian study has found that successful daily antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively stops the transmission of HIV between gay and bisexual men. The research supports the findings of previous studies showing that men on treatment for HIV with an “undetectable viral load” cannot pass it on to other people. The latest study, called Opposites Attract, …
Local Drag Stars To Unite For Brisbane’s CWC Cabaret Fundraiser
A star-studded lineup of Queensland drag talent will grace the stage at the upcoming CWC Cabaret, Brisbane’s longest running fundraiser for people living with HIV. Hosted by drag legend Betty Nature (pictured, centre) at the Sportsman Hotel this Saturday night (June 30), the event will feature performances throughout the night by drag performers past and …
Ask DocQ: What Does U=U Mean And Why Is It So Important?
Probably the biggest news to dominate the HIV landscape last year was the acceptance by the scientific community and HIV health professionals that U=U – undetectable equals un-transmittable. The message is that a person with HIV who is on treatment and is undetectable cannot pass on the virus to their sexual partner. To be undetectable …