•  HIV TREATMENT & MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH

The Trek Toward a Cure: Where Are We Now?
Are we closer to a cure for HIV today than we were a year ago? San Francisco AIDS Foundation asked a handful of AIDS advocates this very question. Their answers may surprise you.


A Closer Look at Tipranavir, an Experimental PI
Tipranavir may be the first of a new generation of protease inhibitors (PIs) to reach the U.S. market: Known as a "non peptidic" PI, it may be more effective in people who are already resistant to several PIs. This article from BETA has the details.


The Basics on Complementary Therapy
What is complementary and alternative medicine? How can it help improve the health of people with HIV? This fact sheet from the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has the answers.

•  LIVING WITH HIV

Fear and Loathing of People With HIV Persists in America
As most of you are probably aware, a disturbing number of people still fear, hate or discriminate against HIVers after 20-plus years of HIV in the U.S. David Salyer looks at a few recent examples, including last year's impressive display of HIV ignorance from Cirque de Soleil.

•  U.S. AIDS POLICY & FUNDING

Illinois Nears Legalization of Transplants Between People With HIV
The Illinois state House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would allow HIV-positive residents to donate their organs to other HIV-positive people in the state. The bill, which awaits a vote in the state Senate, would make Illinois the first state to allow organ transplants between HIV-positive people.


New Ideas for Helping Out Cash-Strapped ADAPs
Without more federal money, how can the U.S.'s AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) be saved? Eric L. Watts has a few ideas. For starters, he says, cash-strapped states like Georgia can raise millions for ADAP -- and promote safety in the bargain -- just by setting up a system to photograph and fine drivers who run red lights.

•  HIV/STD PREVENTION

Bush Seeks to Put Warnings on Condoms
The Bush administration is considering requiring condom manufacturers to include warning labels on condom packages stating that condoms do not protect against all sexually transmitted diseases, including human papillomavirus, which can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.


Abstinence Pledges Are Rarely Kept
It's an almost predictable irony: The majority of U.S. teenagers who pledged not to have sex before marriage failed to keep their vows, and those who had premarital sex developed sexually transmitted diseases at about the same rate as young people who never pledged abstinence, according to a new study.


STDs More Common Among Young People in U.S.
Young adults and teenagers are more likely than any other U.S. age group to have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), statistics show. Although U.S. infection rates for some STDs are dropping, they still remain high; for example, seven out of every hundred girls ages 15-19 have gonorrhea.


HPV May Be Most Common STD in U.S.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is "likely the most common STD [sexually transmitted disease] among young, sexually active people," affecting 20 million in the U.S. at any one time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Every year about 5.5 million people contract an HPV infection. Of the 30 strains of HPV, a few types can lead to cervical cancer.

•  HIV COINFECTIONS

In-Depth Overview of HIV/Hepatitis C Coinfection
For the 300,000 people in the U.S. who are infected with both HIV and hepatitis C (HCV), treatment decisions can get much more complicated than for people who have HIV alone: For instance, not all HIV meds are safe to use with the drugs that treat HCV. Dr. Brian Boyle provides a detailed, clinical review of HIV/HCV coinfection and its treatment.

Have more questions about hepatitis C? Try browsing through our vast library of articles, or visit our hepatitis "Ask the Experts" forum and talk with HIV/hepatitis expert Dr. Douglas Dieterich!

•  HIV OUTSIDE THE U.S.

South African Group Threatens Lawsuit Over Treatment Delay
The South African treatment advocacy group Treatment Action Campaign has threatened to sue the South African government if it does not "authorize the immediate procurement" of antiretrovirals for its planned HIV treatment program by March 17. In November 2003, the South African government approved a plan for a national HIV treatment and care program, which included the provision of HIV medications. However, no one has yet received treatment through this program.


AIDS Orphans Will Number 25 Million by 2010, Study Says
By 2010, 25 million children worldwide -- roughly half the number of children in the U.S. public school system -- will become AIDS orphans, according to a new study. Currently, about 14 million children around the world are orphaned due to AIDS, a figure that is growing by 800,000 each year, the study reports.

•  WEB HIGHLIGHTS

HIV "Raises Heart Disease Risk"
Research continues to suggest that HIV infection may increase the risk of heart disease. In this study, the risks of clogged arteries are found to be higher among older people who smoke or have high blood pressure.
Article from BBC News, March 16, 2004


Two Break Through Silence to Help Teach Gay Arabs
In Detroit, a pair of HIV educators seek to reduce HIV risk among a highly stigmatized, secretive group.
Article from the Detroit Free Press, March 16, 2004


NY Artist Snaps Naked, HIV-Positive Group
Spencer Tunick, a photographer best known for taking pictures of large groups of nude people in public, snaps away as 100 HIVers bare it all for POZ magazine's 10th anniversary.
Article from Reuters, March 13, 2004


Benefit of Treatment Interruption in HIV-Infected Patients With Multiple Therapeutic Failures: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The debate over structured treatment interruptions continues, as a new study suggests they can work quite well in people who are resistant to many HIV medications.
Article from the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service, March 12, 2004


Diabetes Drug and Exercise Help Reduce Heart Disease Risk and Improve Body Shape in HAART Patients
An hour of cardiovascular and weight training three times a week for 12 weeks, along with a twice-daily dose of the anti-diabetes drug metformin, is found to improve blood pressure, reduce fat in the waist and lower lipid levels.
Article from aidsmap.com, March 12, 2004


HIV Study is Chilling to Black College Campuses
The much-publicized findings of an HIV outbreak among black men who have sex with men in North Carolina colleges has finally brought public attention to the silently spreading epidemic.
Article from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 11, 2004


The Next Gay Plague
Syphilis may be a bigger threat now than it's ever been before to gay men in the U.S. Not only are new infections on the rise, but having syphilis is linked to an increased risk for contracting HIV. Dr. Howard Grossman presents a plan on how the gay community can fight back.
Commentary from The Advocate, March 3, 2004