The AIDS Beacon™

Two articles published by American researchers in the January issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS) showed that HIV-infected adults and children are living longer than they did in the mid-1990s.

One study monitored mortality rates and causes of death in HIV-infected children from 1993 to 2006, a period of time when highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) was introduced.

The other study estimated life expectancy and average years of life lost in adults following HIV diagnosis.

Researchers found that pediatric…

A recent Congressional briefing sponsored by The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) examined the impact of H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) on patients living with HIV and AIDS. Topics of discussion included prevention, treatment, and the need for research exploring the effects of H1N1 on HIV/AIDS patients.

About H1N1

Since its detection in the United States in April 2009, H1N1 “swine flu” has infected an estimated 50 million people, and has lead to approximately 10,000 deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control…

A study published Wednesday in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that HIV-positive individuals experienced reduced rates of suicide after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

The suicide rate among HIV-positive individuals nonetheless remains higher than the general population even after the introduction of HAART.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV-infected patients in some countries are eight times more likely to commit suicide. Typically, individuals are most at risk when they become aware of their status and when…

Dating While HIV-Positive: Should I Date Only Others With HIV?

HIV-positive individuals face two options regarding dating: date another individual who is infected with the virus, or date an individual who is HIV-negative.

A greater understanding of the infection, and the use of condoms, has reduced the likelihood of an HIV-negative individual acquiring the virus, if they are in a romantic relationship with someone who is HIV-positive.

These couples are known as serodiscordant partners.

However, dating while infected with the virus poses many questions.

Should…

Dr. Maria Patterson is a leading researcher and physician who treats pediatric AIDS patients and has seen tremendous progress in AIDS research and treatment since the beginning of the epidemic.

She received her Ph.D. in virology from Northwestern University in 1970 and attained her medical degree from Michigan State University in 1984. She currently works at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan and is also a faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University.

In 2008, Patterson…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines for HIV and AIDS patients regarding the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu.

HIV patients are more susceptible to complications due to seasonal influenza, especially those that have low CD4 cell counts or have AIDS. Individuals with the 2009 H1N1 influenza have also exhibited more complications than the general population, suggesting that HIV patients are at a higher risk for developing complications in response to the H1N1 flu.

Individuals who are HIV-positive…

People living with HIV/AIDS may encounter discrimination in many areas of their life, including obtaining and keeping health insurance and employment. However, HIV-positive individuals are protected by federal law in the employment arena, which includes obtaining employment, job assignments, promotions, wages, and firing policies.

In 1990,the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed to insure that individuals with disabilities were not discriminated against. HIV and AIDS are both considered disabilities under this law. However, the ADA only applies to public and…

The HIV vaccine clinical trial, RV144, that was hailed as a success in September is now under scrutiny by other researchers and activists, who say the results may have been due to chance. What has caused this backlash, and why are the results now in question?

Study RV144

Results of the study, RV144, were formally published in the October issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, and presented at the annual AIDS Vaccine 2009 conference in Paris on Tuesday.

The trial was…

When Margaret Fleming, founder and executive director of Adoption-Link, an organization specializing in domestic and international adoption, discussed her plans several years ago to open an adoption agency for families in the United States looking to adopt HIV-positive children, people thought she was crazy.

At the time,“No one else was doing this and people didn’t think it was possible with insurance, immigration and other factors,” Fleming said.

However, in 2003 Chances by Choice was formed and has since placed about 60 HIV-positive…

For many HIV positive couples who are considering parenthood, it may be a challenging and unpredictable process. Conceiving a child can lead to the possibility of transmitting the virus to the fetus. The virus also can be transmitted to the other partner if only one is HIV-positive.

An alternative solution for many facing this dilemma is adoption. However, even if couples are certain this is the right choice for them, some adoption agencies see HIV as a red flag to disqualify…