The National Aids Trust said as many as half of all early-stage infections, often marked by severe flu-like symptoms, are being missed. Spotting them and carrying out an HIV test would prevent further infections, it said. A GP specialising in sexual health said doctors should always be open-minded to the possibility their patients had HIV.

via news.bbc.co.uk

Washington, July 22 : When a second strain of wily HIV virus infects someone after the first, they swap genetic information, creating a third, recombinant strain, successfully outwitting the immune system. A study has shown how and where viral strains swap DNA may be determined by the immune response against the original infecting strain.

via newkerala.com

The HIV-I virus virtually knocks out the immune system much faster than previously thought. The window of opportunity for successful intervention may be only a matter of days - not weeks - after transmission, according to scientists of Duke University Medical Centre. The finding may compound the problem of the challenge of designing an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine.

via newkerala.com

The US is one of only a dozen countries - including Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Russia - that ban travel and immigration for HIV-positive people. America's travel ban has been in force since 1987. The provision lifting the ban was part of a bill granting some $50bn in funding for the fight against HIV/Aids throughout the world.

via news.bbc.co.uk

A gene variant found only in people of African ancestry increases the chances of becoming infected with HIV-1 by 40 percent, according to a long-term study. Interestingly, however, after infection, the same variant seemed to protect against progression of the disease, allowing those who carry it to live about two years longer.

via newkerala.com

In developing countries where breastfeeding is a necessity, and HIV is rampant, the risk of disease transmission through breast milk might be reduced if infants were first fed a freeze-dried formula full of good bacteria that could capture and potentially destroy the deadly virus.

via medicinenet.com

Around 307 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been reported in El Salvador following "National HIV Test Day" on June 27, according to news reaching here from El Salvador Wednesday. The testing campaign was carried out free of charge at Salvadoran Institute for Social Security (ISSS) clinics.
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via

The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been on rise in the conservative Islamic society of Afghanistan as over 400 cases have been reported so far, Afghan Public Health Ministry said Wednesday.
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via

Patty's recollection of her alleged sexual assault is a vivid memory, but difficult for her to talk about.
"I was trying to fight like crazy," said Patty. "I was trying to scratch everything I could." Omaha police officers arrested Matthew Kidder, who was charged with first-degree assault. Kidder is currently at the Douglas County Corrections Center being held on $1 million bond.

via ketv.com

Death rates for HIV-infected people lucky enough to get their hands on antiretroviral medications have decreased dramatically since the introduction of these drugs in 1996, new British research shows. For most, the five-year, post-diagnosis survival for those infected sexually is now about equal to that of the general population.

via medicinenet.com

A new research has revealed that the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy may reduce the incidence of HIV but has been overlooked by public health as a prevention strategy. Although, there have been advances in HIV treatment such as topical microbicides, pre- and post-exposure treatment and male circumcision, HIV infections continue to increase worldwide.

via newkerala.com

The global fight against HIV/Aids needs smart money, not more money, the world's largest humanitarian agency has claimed. The World Disasters Report, published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, warned that around 7,000 people a day contracted HIV last year. And experts have called on governments to face the issue head-on by tackling stigma, improving research and community care and guaranteeing clean, safe water and sanitation.

via newkerala.com

Stress and depression may make a great difference in the health of people infected with HIV, according to three new reviews of the data on the subject. Scientists haven't yet proved that personal attitude and mental health directly affect the progress of HIV infection and AIDS. But the research strongly points to a link, said Dr. Gail Ironson, lead author of the one of the reviews.

via medicinenet.com

The herpes drug acyclovir (Zovirax) doesn't reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection in people who have sex with men infected with genital herpes, a U.S. study finds. Previous research has shown that herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection — the most common cause of genital herpes — increases the risk for HIV-1 infection by two- to threefold. In this new, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III study, Dr. Connie Celum.

via medicinenet.com

Drugs that suppress HIV are keeping infected individuals alive and relatively healthy for years, even decades. But studies suggest that a new health risk is emerging for these long-term survivors: increased odds for heart attack and stroke. It's not clear whether the cause is the virus itself or the drugs used to treat it, said Dr. Steven Grinspoon, professor of medicine at Harvard University.

via medicinenet.com