HPSC - Weekly HIV & STIs Report - Week 40, 2018
Latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show a total of 11 new cases for week 40 - 2018, with a total of 403 HIV new notifications for 2018 to date.
Another rare PrEP failure reported in San Francisco
Aidsmap, 9 October 2018
A San Francisco man was apparently infected with a drug-resistant HIV strain despite consistent use of PrEP. This is the sixth known case of HIV seroconversion despite good adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis.
CDC researchers examine HIV-related stigma among US healthcare providers
EurekAlert!, 9 October 2018
This systematic review analysed studies of HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers. Researchers identified three main areas: attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours; quality of patient care; and education and training.
How the myth about opioids and chronic pain affects people living with HIV
Beta Blog, 9 October 2018
Chronic pain affects from 40% to 85% of people living with HIV and many of them are treated with long-term opioid therapy. What are the benefits of long-term opioid use for people living with HIV, and what are the harms?
Better integration of mental health and HIV services needed
UNAIDS, 10 October 2018
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October each year. This year, UNAIDS is highlighting that governments need to do more to integrate mental health and HIV services.
Man with HIV accused of having sex without telling woman about virus
Devon Live, 11 October 2018
The defendant has been charged with breaching the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed on 2005.
HIV-related prosecutions to be guided by best scientific evidence
News Day, 6 October 2018
Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the world that criminalises HIV transmission, but most prosecutions and convictions are not guided by the best scientific and medical evidence.
HIV Travel: The Global Database on HIV-specific Travel and Residence restrictions is updated
EATG, 9 October 2018
The Global Database on HIV-specific Travel & Residence Restrictions, a useful online tool regarding the cross-border mobility of people living with HIV/AIDS, has been recently updated.
The British HIV Association (BHIVA) calls for accelerated efforts to prevent and cure hepatitis C infection in all those living with HIV
BHIVA, 10 October 2018
Bhiva is calling for accelerated efforts to cure hepatitis C virus in all those living with HIV. Curing hepatitis C can reduce the risk of liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other conditions. The new priority is to ensure all those with the virus are diagnosed, linked to services and cured.
GOSHH’s rapid HIV testing
Limerick Post, 10 October 2018
Limerick’s GOSHH (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health, HIV) has introduced a rapid testing programme for HIV which takes 10 minutes in total.
Retention in HIV care drops after release from incarceration
Medical Xpress, 9 October 2018
A US study shows that less than half of HIV-positive inmates are retained in care three years after release from incarceration.
Older people less likely to be offered an HIV test in English sexual health clinics
Aidsmap, 12 October 2018
Public Health England new data show that, despite their mandate to offer HIV testing to all attendees, sexual health clinics in England are less likely to offer a test to older patients.
Study reveals racial differences in HIV prevention method use
Yale Daily News, 9 October 2018
A new study, published by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health and George Washington University, shows that African-American women report higher levels of medical mistrust — hindering their access to PrEP.
Malaysia Eliminates Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis
The Body, 9 October 2018
Malaysia has been certified by the World Health Organization as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. It is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to achieve this milestone.
We should take fungal infections more seriously. Here’s why.
The Conversation, 1 October 2018
Many fungal diseases are easily treated, but some can be extremely serious and particularly dangerous for people living with HIV.
New Study From Georgia Sheds Light on Kaposi Sarcoma in Women With HIV
The Body, 10 October 2018
The skin cancer Kaposi Sarcoma is an HIV-related condition that primarily affects men, but a new cases series presented at IDWeek 2018 in San Francisco highlights the importance of studying women with KS.
Scientists develop rapid test for diagnosing tuberculosis in people with HIV
Medical Xpress, 8 October 2018
An international team is developing a urine diagnostic test that can quickly, easily and inexpensively identify tuberculosis infection in people living with HIV.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C patients 'in most critical need' selected for treatment as funds ran out
Irish Examiner, 29 September 2018
The HSE had to suspend its treatment programme for patients with Hepatitis C for a month in 2017 because it did not know the number of patients being treated and risked running out of money.
Ireland: Antivirals cure up to 98% of hepatitis C patients since 2014
EATG, 9 October 2018
HCV2018 Conference: The figures from the national treatment registry for Irish hepatitis C patients represent “a triumph of science”, as new data show that up to 98 per cent of patients with hepatitis C have been cured over the past four years.
Scotland could be first UK country to eradicate hepatitis C
Daily Record, 2 October 2018
Healthcare professionals, politicians, charities and NHS managers will gather in Edinburgh to discuss how to help achieve the elimination of Hepatitis C in Scotland.
Drugs
Decriminalise people who use drugs in Ireland – New Report
Ana Liffey, 8 October 2018
The Ana Liffey Drug Project and the London School of Economics have released a report, calling for the decriminalisation of people who use drugs in Ireland.
Click
here for the full report.
Too Few Teens and Youth Adults Using Opioids Are Screened for Hepatitis C and HIV, New Study Finds
The Body, 5 October 2018
A study presented at the IDWeek Conference in San Francisco shows that, despite their increased risk, only one-third of young opioid users were screened for hepatitis C and, of those screened for hepatitis C, only 11% were also screened for HIV.
STIs
Researchers identify individual HPV types that are linked to HIV infection
News Medical, 5 October 2018
An international research team has for the first time identified individual types of the human papillomavirus that are specifically linked to HIV infection.