[Viva] Fwd: HIV Weekly, 29 November 2012

Thu Nov 29 10:21:18 PST 2012

Some useful info here.
Take your vitamin D ladies!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <hivweekly at nam.org.uk>
Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 4:48 AM
Subject: HIV Weekly, 29 November 2012
To: margaritesanchez at gmail.com

    Having problems reading this email? View it in your browser
>><http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-Weekly-November-28-2012/page/2555603/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
   [image: HIV weekly]<http://www.aidsmap.com/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

29 November 2012

   - Vitamin D and HIV treatment <#13b4c4470974432b_item2555613>
   - Bone health <#13b4c4470974432b_item2555604>
   - Starting HIV treatment with a high viral
load<#13b4c4470974432b_item2555614>
   - Injecting drug use and hepatitis C <#13b4c4470974432b_item2555607>
   - Other hepatitis news <#13b4c4470974432b_item2555608>
   - Editors' picks from other sources <#13b4c4470974432b_item2555616>

<http://www.aidsmap.com/donate?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

 Vitamin D and HIV treatment

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with poorer long-term increases in
CD4 cell count in women starting HIV treatment, according to new
research.<http://www.aidsmap.com/Low-levels-of-vitamin-D-associated-with-poorer-long-term-CD4-cell-gains-in-women-who-start-HIV-treatment-late/page/2552165/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

Vitamin D<http://www.aidsmap.com/Vitamin-D/page/1731657/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>is
very important to overall health. Not having enough of the vitamin can
increase the risk of a number of longer-term health problems, such as
cardiovascular
disease<http://www.aidsmap.com/Non-HIV-related-illnesses-cardiovascular-disease/page/1282199/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

There is now a lot of research showing that many people with HIV have low
levels of vitamin D. The exact consequences of this aren’t clear. But one
study involving men who were starting HIV
treatment<http://www.aidsmap.com/Starting-treatment/cat/1670?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>showed
that this was associated with lower increases in CD4
cell count<http://www.aidsmap.com/CD4-cell-counts/page/1044596/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

Researchers wanted to see if this was also the case for HIV-positive women.

Their study involved over 200 women who were starting HIV therapy when
their CD4 cell count was below 200.

Vitamin D levels were monitored just before participants started treatment.
The researchers then looked at CD4 cell increases 6, 12 and 24 months after
treatment was started, and analysed the increases in relation to vitamin D
levels.

The vast majority of women had low vitamin D levels, and the researchers
found this was associated with reduced chances of having a CD4 cell
increase of 200 or more two years after starting treatment.

*Vitamin D levels are monitored as part of routine HIV
care<http://www.aidsmap.com/Visiting-your-HIV-clinic-for-check-ups/page/1045016/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.
This allows any possible problems to be spotted early. You can find out
more about the tests you will have as part of your routine health
monitoring in NAM’s booklet, CD4, viral load & other
tests<http://www.aidsmap.com/CD4-viral-load-amp-other-tests/page/1327442?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.*

*Supplements may help maintain vitamin D levels. You can find out more
about having a healthy diet, containing the vitamins you need, in NAM’s
booklet, Nutrition<http://www.aidsmap.com/Nutrition/page/1060877?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.*

 Bone health

Dutch researchers have found a high prevalence of low bone mineral density
in gay men, regardless of whether or not they are HIV
positive<http://www.aidsmap.com/Dutch-find-low-bone-mineral-density-in-gay-men-regardless-of-HIV-infection-status/page/2552205/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

Low bone mineral
density<http://www.aidsmap.com/Bone-loss/page/1730077/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>is
more common in people with HIV than in the general population. The
exact
causes aren’t certain. However, they seem to include the damage caused by
HIV and the side-effects<http://www.aidsmap.com/Bone-loss/page/1730077/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>of
some anti-HIV drugs.

But traditional risk factors such as
smoking<http://www.aidsmap.com/Smoking/page/1045157/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>,
low body weight<http://www.aidsmap.com/Unintentional-weight-loss/page/1044802/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>and
alcohol<http://www.aidsmap.com/Alcohol/page/1045082/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>use
may also be important.

Doctors in the Netherlands noticed that many gay men who had been recently
infected with HIV had low bone mineral density. This led them to speculate
that this problem may have been present before they became HIV positive.

To test this theory, they designed a study comparing bone mineral density
between three groups of gay men: 41 men with primary HIV infection (that
is, they had been infected within the last few months); 106 with long-term
HIV infection, and 30 HIV-negative men.

All were aged between 20 and 55. They were well matched, but the
HIV-negative men were somewhat heavier and had a higher BMI (body mass
index).

Prevalence of low bone mineral density was similar between the three
groups: it was present in 20% of men with primary infection, 22% of those
with chronic HIV and 13% of the HIV-negative men.

The researchers think that lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking
and recreational
drug use<http://www.aidsmap.com/Recreational-drug-use/page/1255008/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>are
possible explanations for their findings.

*Bone health is monitored as part of routine HIV
care<http://www.aidsmap.com/Visiting-your-HIV-clinic-for-check-ups/page/1045016/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.
This allows any potential problems to be spotted early so that appropriate
treatment can be provided. You can find out more about the tests you will
have as part of your routine health monitoring in NAM’s booklet, CD4, viral
load & other tests<http://www.aidsmap.com/CD4-viral-load-amp-other-tests/page/1327442?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.*

* There’s a lot you can do to look after the health of your bones. This
includes exercising<http://www.aidsmap.com/Exercise/page/1045096/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>regularly,
stopping smoking and a
good diet<http://www.aidsmap.com/Healthy-eating/page/2029215/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
*. *You can find out more about having a healthy diet, and looking after
the health of your bones, in NAM’s booklet,
Nutrition<http://www.aidsmap.com/Nutrition/page/1060877?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.*

 Starting HIV treatment with a high viral load

Some new research suggests that the anti-HIV drug abacavir may work as well
for people starting HIV treatment with a viral load above
100,000<http://www.aidsmap.com/Abacavir-new-studies-challenge-the-evidence-of-reduced-potency-when-viral-load-is-high/page/2553536/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

Abacavir<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/Abacavir-iZiageni/page/1730880/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>(
*Ziagen*, also in
*Kivexa<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/iKivexai-abacavir3TC/page/1731081/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
*) belongs to a class of anti-HIV drugs known as NRTIs. It is one of the
drugs used in first-line HIV treatment for people who are starting
treatment<http://www.aidsmap.com/Starting-HIV-treatment/page/1230814/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>for
the first time.

But the drug is not recommended for some groups. In the past, this included
people with a viral
load<http://www.aidsmap.com/Viral-load/page/1044622/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>above
100,000. Some research showed that the drug worked less well in these
people compared to the main alternative drug,
tenofovir<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/Tenofovir-iVireadi/page/1731221/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>(
*Viread*, also in
*Truvada<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/iTruvadai-tenofovirFTC/page/1731265/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
,* *Atripla<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/iAtriplai/page/1730903/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
* and *Eviplera<http://www.aidsmap.com/resources/treatmentsdirectory/drugs/iEviplerai/page/2188046?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
*).

However, results of two studies looking at the safety and effectiveness of
some experimental anti-HIV drugs also found that abacavir works just as
well as tenofovir in people starting treatment with a high viral load.

Similar proportions of participants taking combinations containing abacavir
or tenofovir with a viral load above 100,000 achieved an undetectable viral
load.

*Your HIV doctor<http://www.aidsmap.com/You-and-your-doctor/page/1045025/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>will
discuss the pros and cons of abacavir, tenofovir and other anti-HIV
drugs with you before you start or change treatment. You can find out more
about different HIV treatments in NAM’s booklet, Anti-HIV
drugs<http://www.aidsmap.com/Anti-HIV-drugs/page/1060104?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
*.

 Injecting drug use and hepatitis C

Sharing equipment used to prepare drugs for injection is a possible source
of hepatitis C transmission, new research has
shown<http://www.aidsmap.com/Sharing-drug-preparation-equipment-a-potential-source-of-hepatitis-C-transmission/page/2553709/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

Hepatitis C<http://www.aidsmap.com/Hepatitis-C/page/1045186/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>is
spread by contact with infected blood. Injecting
drug use<http://www.aidsmap.com/Injecting-drug-use/page/1321430/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>is
a major mode of transmission.

The virus can contaminate equipment used at all stages of the injecting
process.

Health promotion campaigns emphasise the importance of safer
injecting<http://www.aidsmap.com/Safer-drug-use/page/1255009/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>and
not sharing needles or syringes.

Now researchers have found that the virus can contaminate and survive for
long periods in other equipment used during the injecting process. This
includes water, water bottles and filters.

The researchers suggest that health promotion campaigns should stress that
hepatitis C can be transmitted by sharing equipment at all stages of the
injecting process.

 Other hepatitis news

A number of very promising new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C are
in development.

Researchers are examining the safety and effectiveness of these
drugs<http://www.aidsmap.com/Telaprevir-twice-daily-works-as-well-as-every-eight-hours-safe-for-hepatitis-C-patients-with-cirrhosis/page/2553702/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>;
which patients to prioritise for
treatment<http://www.aidsmap.com/Which-patients-should-be-prioritised-for-new-hepatitis-C-treatments/page/2553698/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>;
and treatment strategies<http://www.aidsmap.com/Low-viral-load-in-hepatitis-C-treatment-Is-a-third-drug-necessary/page/2553324/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>.

 Editors' picks from other sources
Stand Tall, Get Snapped: an exhibition of people living with
HIV<http://www.aidsmap.com/Aggregator.ashx?type=bulletin&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fsociety%2fgallery%2f2012%2fnov%2f25%2fstand-tall-get-snapped-hiv-pictures&utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

from The Guardian

Edo Zollo spent the past year photographing people across the UK who are
living with HIV. The photographer hoped to address stigma with his project.
"I thought, what about taking pictures of 30 people, to break down the
stereotypes? HIV impacts on everybody."
South Africa: No Stop to HIV Infections Unless Gender Violence
Addressed<http://www.aidsmap.com/Aggregator.ashx?type=bulletin&url=http%3a%2f%2fallafrica.com%2fstories%2f201211270044.html&utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

from AllAfrica

Zero HIV infection rates will never be achieved unless tackling
gender-based violence is part of addressing the epidemic, an expert told
HIV specialists, researchers and nurses. Rape, abuse by intimate partners
and sexual abuse of children massively increase the incidence of HIV
infection - especially among women - she said.
More than Half of those with HIV in the UK are Overweight: the Surprising
Issues Facing Those Living with
HIV<http://www.aidsmap.com/Aggregator.ashx?type=bulletin&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bda.uk.com%2fnews%2f121123WorldAidsDay.html&utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

from British Dietetic Association press release

“ARVs have radically changed the picture of malnutrition most of us
associate with HIV,” dietitian Alastair Duncan said. Early data "suggests
that more than half of people living with HIV in the UK are overweight or
obese, with only about one-in-nine being underweight. In fact by far the
most common issues facing HIV dietitians in the outpatient clinic these
days are dyslipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis, with over
75% of HIV patients Vitamin D deficient."
Hospital HIV questions intrusive: Body Positive
Dorset<http://www.aidsmap.com/Aggregator.ashx?type=bulletin&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bbc.co.uk%2fnews%2fuk-england-dorset-20411381&utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

from BBC News

Hospitals in Dorset have been accused of asking patients with HIV
"intrusive" and "unnecessary" questions about how they contracted the
virus. Body Positive Dorset said it has received complaints about Royal
Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals.

 HIV test finder<http://www.aidsmap.com/hiv-test-finder?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/hiv-test-finder?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

We've launched a new UK *HIV test
finder<http://www.aidsmap.com/hiv-test-finder?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
*, just in time for England's first National HIV Testing Week, 23rd-30th
November.

The *HIV test finder* is designed to search for HIV test services near you,
and contains over 700 services.

It's available on our
website<http://www.aidsmap.com/hiv-test-finder?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>,
through a free iPhone app <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id577199759> and
through a Facebook app <https://apps.facebook.com/hiv-test-finder/>.

More in the NAM blog
>><http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-test-finder-a-new-tool-for-your-smartphone-and-Facebook/page/2553632/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
 World AIDS Day<http://www.aidsmap.com/worldaidsday?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/worldaidsday?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

World AIDS Day has taken place on December 1st every year since 1988.

Find out more in our World AIDS Day
pages<http://www.aidsmap.com/worldaidsday?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.
 A healthy – and happy – old
age<http://www.aidsmap.com/A-healthy-and-happy-old-age-with-HIV/page/2541039/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/A-healthy-and-happy-old-age-with-HIV/page/2541039/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

At least one-in-five people with HIV in the UK is now over 50

In the latest issue of *HIV treatment update* we ask: What’s the recipe for
staying fit and happy as we age?

Read more >><http://www.aidsmap.com/A-healthy-and-happy-old-age-with-HIV/page/2541039/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
 News from HIV 11<http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-11/page/2551393/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-11/page/2551393/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

The eleventh International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection (HIV
11) was held in Glasgow last week.

Visit our conference pages for news
reports<http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-11/page/2551393/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.
 Flu vaccination season is
here<http://www.aidsmap.com/Pneumococcal-disease/page/2478173/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/Pneumococcal-disease/page/2478173/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

Winter often brings flu and other infections. Being vaccinated against flu
is especially important for people with HIV. Take best care of your health
and ask about the flu vaccination at your GP surgery now.

Find out more about flu and the flu vaccination in the new NAM
factsheet >><http://www.aidsmap.com/Influenza-flu/page/2539023/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

Find out more about protecting yourself from other winter viral illnesses
in the NAM factsheet
>><http://www.aidsmap.com/Winter-viral-illnesses/page/1044808/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
 HIV prevention<http://www.aidsmap.com/AVACs-European-pilot-PxROAR/page/2550696/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/AVACs-European-pilot-PxROAR/page/2550696/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

Jackie, who leads our African communities engagement project, is learning
more about new HIV prevention technologies.

Read more >><http://www.aidsmap.com/AVACs-European-pilot-PxROAR/page/2550696/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
 New factsheet<http://www.aidsmap.com/Pneumococcal-disease/page/2478173/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
<http://www.aidsmap.com/Pneumococcal-disease/page/2478173/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

Our factsheet series introduces lots of different topics, each one
available to read online or download as a simple one-page PDF.

We recently published a new title, which examines pneumococcal disease and
vaccination.

Read or download this factsheet on our
website<http://www.aidsmap.com/Pneumococcal-disease/page/2478173/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>
.

NAM is an award-winning, community-based organisation, which works from the
UK. We deliver reliable and accurate HIV information across the world to
HIV-positive people and to the professionals who treat, support and care
for them.

Make a donation, make a difference at
www.aidsmap.com/donate<http://www.aidsmap.com/donate?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

*For more details, please contact NAM*
tel: +44 (0)20 3242 0820
fax: +44 (0)20 3242 0839
email: info at nam.org.uk
web: www.aidsmap.com<http://www.aidsmap.com/?utm_source=NAM-Email-Promotion&utm_medium=hiv-weekly&utm_campaign=hiv-weekly>

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