HIV Weekly - October 9th 2007

A round-up of the latest HIV news, for people living with HIV in the UK and beyond.

Anti-HIV treatment

Health problems and side-effects

Sexual health

Most people with HIV remain sexually active after their diagnosis.

Two recent studies have shown that the sexual health of people with HIV is a cause for concern.

The first involved HIV-positive gay men in Europe and showed that some infections, such as syphilis, LGV, and hepatitis C occurred much more frequently in HIV-positive gay men. The researchers who conducted the study recommend that HIV-positive gay men should have regular health screens and that campaigns should inform them about the sexual health risks of unprotected sex.

The second study involved young HIV-positive women in the US. It found that about a fifth had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection since their HIV diagnosis.

Condoms when properly used provide excellent protection against most sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.