HIV Ireland NewsDesk Weekly
1 May 2015
The main features of this week's NewsDesk are HIV testing and self-testing, with articles about the first approved home testing kit and the various issues people might experience when testing at home or in a clinic. We also have stories about HIV stigma, prevention, and treatment research, plus articles on Hepatitis C in Ireland and STIs.
HIV
HPSC - Weekly HIV & STI Report - Week 16, 2015
Latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre for week 16 – 2015 show 4 new cases of HIV, bringing the total to 106 HIV new notifications for 2015 to date.
First HIV home test approved for sale in UK
Aidsmap, 27 April 2015
The first legally approved HIV self-test kit that allows people to get a result in 15 minutes at home has gone on sale in England, Scotland and Wales. Unlike other kits, these tests do not need to be sent off to a lab to get the results.
See also:
World's first HIV self-testing kit goes on sale and can offer diagnosis in 15 minutes
The Mirror, 27 April 2015
HIV home-testing kit: Concerns for people who may get a life-changing diagnosis while alone
Manchester Evening News, 27 April 2015
The first approved HIV home-testing kit in Britain has raised concerns that people could get a life-changing diagnosis while being alone. While sexual health support groups say it could cut the huge rate of undiagnosed cases, they are worried that anyone testing positive could be unsure where to turn for help.
Why I Wish I'd Received My HIV Diagnosis At Home
Vice, 28 April 2015
The author relates his upsetting experience of testing in an NHS clinic.
HIV: Testing ourselves out of the epidemic?
Incidence 0, 29 April 2015
Opinion piece: the problems faced by HIV prevention are much deeper than what self-testing can address and other interventions are urgently needed to address sociocultural issues.
Screening for HIV in GP surgeries leads to increased and earlier diagnosis
Queen Mary University, 29 April 2015
According to a new study led by Queen Mary University of London, training GPs to offer rapid HIV tests leads to increased detection and earlier diagnosis of patients with HIV infection.
Many undiagnosed HIV infections picked up when testing people who have other medical conditions, but implementation challenges remain
Aidsmap, 30 April 2015
The results of a study presented to the BHIVA conference in Brighton last week, show the importance of getting non-HIV specialist clinicians to consider HIV testing in patients with a wide range of illnesses that might be indicative of HIV infection.
7 Institutions of HIV Infection
Advocate, 26 April 2015
How teachings, policies and beliefs can keep HIV alive.
HIV prevention and risk behaviors follow weekly patterns
Eureka Alert, 27 April 2015
According to a new study, the peak time for seeking information on topics related to HIV, such as prevention and testing, is at the beginning of the week, while risky sexual behaviours tend to increase on the weekends.
Magazine prints cover with ink that contains HIV-positive blood
CNet, 30 April 2015
A special edition of Vienna-based Vangardist seeks to get people talking about HIV and AIDS, but at least one reader "was too scared to pick it up."
See also:
Vangardist Magazine confronts HIV+ 'head-on' with blood-infused ink
Saatchi & Saatchi, April 2015
To combat the stigma surrounding HIV, men’s monthly magazine Vangardist has printed all 3,000 copies of its May issue with HIV positive blood.
ECJ rules ban on gay men giving blood ‘may be justified’
The Irish Times, 29 April 2015
The European Court of Justice has ruled that a ban on the transfer of blood from men who have engaged in sexual relations with other men “may be justified” in certain circumstances if it can be established that donors are at a high risk of acquiring severe infectious diseases.
HIV Prevention Through Social Media
Liberty Voice, 27 April 2015
Social media, chat rooms, videogames and social networking are now considered a powerful HIV prevention tool to reach young people and groups at risk.
UKIP letter claims British people can’t get HIV treatment because of immigrants
Pink News, 29 April 2015
The party has shared a letter on social media from an unnamed British man, who claims he can no longer see a doctor for HIV treatment because of “immigrants”.
Many people living with HIV willing to take part in cure research, despite its risks
Aidsmap, 24 April 2015
People living with HIV have a great interest in taking part in studies towards an HIV cure, even though they are aware of the many risks involved and they would unlikely benefit personally from cure research.
Stopping HIV in its tracks: New subdermal implant delivers potent antiretroviral drugs
Science Daily, 28 April 2015
Scientists say that they have developed a matchstick size implant that successfully delivers a controlled, sustained release of ARV drugs up to 40 days with no adverse side effects.
New vaccine can improve HIV treatment
Zee News, 29 April 2015
According to a new clinical research, a vaccine containing a protein necessary for virus replication can boost an HIV-infected patient's immune system. This boost can result in increased effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs.
Calls for protection insurance to be more widely available to HIV Positive people
Health Insurance, 28 April 2015
There are renewed calls for more protection insurance products to be developed for people living with HIV, as figures reveal that new medications are helping many more individuals with the condition to remain at work for longer than in the past.
Gender equality linked with higher condom use in HIV positive young women in South Africa
Eureka Alert, 29 April 2015
Young HIV positive women are more likely to practice safer sex if they have an equitable perception of gender roles, according to new research carried out at the University of Southampton.
Hepatitis
Sexual Health
