A small study suggests that the different roles HIV-positive women play in society can influence how they manage their disease. In particular, the findings indicate that women who are mothers, faith believers, pet owners, or AIDS advocates often cope better with HIV/AIDS.

“Women [with HIV] should consider how the various social roles they have can help them manage their chronic disease, and communicate that with their health care team,” said  Allison Webel, an instructor of nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, and lead…

Results from a recent large study indicate that current or recent protease inhibitor use does not increase the risk of stroke or sudden death in people with HIV. However, the researchers did find a small increased risk over time with longer exposure to protease inhibitors.

Based on their results, the study authors recommended future studies to look for links between individual protease inhibitors and increased risk of death. However, they also noted that deaths are rare, which makes it difficult to find such links even if they exist.

According to…

Results from a recent Swiss study indicate that the higher risk of developing lung cancer in people with HIV compared to the general population arises from heavy smoking, not HIV infection.

Based on the results, the study authors recommended implementing strategies to reduce smoking, and therefore lung cancer risk, in HIV-positive adults.

The study authors also speculated that links between lung cancer and HIV or immune deficiency in previous studies were caused by overrepresentation of people with advanced HIV infections in lung cancer studies or accidental inclusion of cancers known…

Results from a recent review confirm that HIV-positive adults are at a higher risk for developing cancer than the general population. In particular, people with HIV are about four times more likely to develop cancer than people without HIV and are slightly more likely to develop cancer than people who have had an organ transplant.

The study authors suggested that a weakened immune system underlies the increased cancer rate.

“Our findings show that there is a need for prevention and early diagnosis of cancers related to infectious agents (such as…

Results from a recent British study indicate that low levels of residual HIV – below the level that is a goal for antiretroviral therapy – can still lead to treatment failure.

Based on their results, the study authors suggested that even lower cutoff levels for residual HIV in the blood may be necessary to avoid treatment failure.

The goal of antiretroviral therapy is to reduce viral loads (amount of HIV in the blood) to levels that are undetectable with most tests, usually less than 50 copies per milliliter. Achieving an…