HIV Research
HIV Testing Through Social Media
10 years ago
How to Get High Risk Men to Submit to HIV Testing: Use Social Media
Social media has become very prevalent in modern society, so why not put it to good use? A recent study showed that one such good use could be to help people exhibit more medically safe behaviors. In this particular study, the focus was on men who are at high risk to contract HIV.
Researchers got more than 100 sexually active homosexual males to participate in the study. They used ads on social networking sites to recruit these volunteers. The men were divided into two groups. Half of the men were placed in an HIV intervention group on Facebook. The other half was placed into a group that discussed health in general. Within each group, designated peer leaders chatted with members of the group, sent them direct messages, and posted on their Facebook walls.
The HIV group discussed matters that directly related to the disease, such as the importance of getting tested, and how to reduce risk by altering behaviors. The group that focused on general health stuck to topics such as nutrition and exercise. The study continued for 12 weeks, and despite the fact that there was nothing binding the men to keep up with the groups, the men as a group did and many participated regularly throughout the study.
At the beginning and end of the study, each participant was encourage to perform an at-home self-test for HIV as well as fill out a survey dealing with various topics related to the disease. What were the results?
The men in the HIV group proved more than twice as likely to take the HIV test. Even more astounding was that men in the HIV group were over 4 times more likely to take the survey. Those in the HIV group were also more active in chats and other group activities.
Clearly this study showed that social media can have benefits in affecting the behavior of those at risk for HIV, encouraging them both to take preventative measures and to be tested more regularly.
HIV Trancytosis Provides New Answers
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
New Light on HIV-1 Transcytosis
Researchers have long been working to find ways of eradicating HIV and finding a solution to the viral epidemic. Whether help comes in the form of a vaccine, new treatment or therapy, the goal is to figure out a way to stop transmission and infection. In light of certain scientific breakthroughs, there is promise. One study helped map out the actual transmission and infection of HIV-1 for the first time.
A recently concluded study followed HIV-1 on its journey from transmission from the genital tract to infection. By seeing how the virus traveled, changed and eventually infected its host, scientists hope to find a way to stop HIV before it spread. However, what they found was not what they had anticipated: Seeing as the fluid in the genital tract is acidic, scientists reasoned that lowering pH levels would somehow affect transmission. Also, scientists have always known the virus to be coated with antibodies, especially as it traveled. By neutralizing these antibodies and lowering pH levels, HIV-1 actually performed better. Transcytosis aided these changes almost twentyfold. This was unexpected, but new information is always a step towards finding a cure.
Researchers also found another aide in the transcytosis process: antibodies. A certain receptor was found that bound and then released immune complexes. This receptor binds when the pH level is acidic and releases a neutral pH. Traces of this particular receptor were later found in one the cells of the genital tract, proving that this theory is correct. Scientists now have new information that can allow them to continue in their quest to battle HIV.
HIV Life Expectancy Increases and Gives Hope to the Medical Community
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
Increased Life Expectancy for Individuals with HIV
There is good news on the horizon from research done over the life expectancy of HIV-positive patients. It was not too long ago that a diagnosis with HIV meant a drastically shortened life span; therapies, treatments and other variables have, however, slowly been developing over the past few years, making a drastic impact on the health and overall well being of those living with HIV. Information culled from studies over the past decade now paints a positive picture of the present and a hopeful one for the future.
Over 10 years ago, a study followed 23,000 HIV-positive individuals of Canadian and American backgrounds. Researchers tracked the life expectancy of each as the years passed. All participants were being treated with antiretroviral therapy (or ART) and were over 20 years old. Past clinical and social information were also gathered to see what bearing this would have on one’s mortality. Factors such as drug abuse, other illnesses and the time ART was started were all taken into consideration. The results were positive: In general, those being treated with ART for HIV were showing to have a life expectancy catching up to that of the general public.
10 years ago, the life expectancy of an HIV-positive person was around 50 years. Today, however, it is at nearly 70 years or greater. A healthy lifestyle, such as one devoid of drug abuse, is one reason for this increase. Another major factor is beginning ART early on, particularly when viral counts are lower. Both these things combined greatly increase one’s chances of living a full and healthy life. Advancements are being made and payoffs are beginning to show, with the future looking up for those who are HIV positive.
HIV and Secondary Health Conditions Prolong Hospital Stays, Incurring More Cost
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
HIV and Secondary Conditions Lengthen Hospital Stays
With medical costs on the rise, reducing hospital stays and expenses are in the best interests of all involved. Researchers decided to investigate how hospital stays differ for those who have HIV and secondary conditions. In an effort to organize and better manage time and resources, a study was conducted on the length, cost and complications of certain hospital stays. The results could help medical institutes come up with ways to better care for their patients, especially those with multiple medical issues.
In particular, HIV patients with secondary conditions—those that could become critical—were observed because their stays differed from those of the other patients. These were then broken down into categories, depending on infirmity. Conditions such as mental illness, obesity, hypertension and diabetes were looked at, with particular focus on the first. The reason for this special attention was that research showed that up to 50 percent of HIV patients also suffer from some form of mental illness.
The statistic has to do with the patients’ average age. Unfortunately, patients with HIV were much younger than those without HIV, with the difference being nearly a decade. Next, of the patients with HIV admitted to the hospital with a secondary condition, 7 percent died in the hospital. The time spent admitted in the hospital was 60 percent greater with HIV patients. The cost was much higher, too—over 75 percent more, in fact, than patients with no HIV infection.
These numbers show that education, reorganizing and planning may be necessary to reduce some of these numbers. This would mean that patients with HIV and secondary conditions might be able to reduce the amount of time spent in the hospital, thus reducing costs too. Awareness of the needs and severity of illness of HIV patients benefits not only the patients themselves but will help focus resources for medical institutions as well.
Kidney Transplants Also at Risk for HIV Infection in HIV-Positive Patients
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
Kidney Transplants at Risk for HIV Infection for HIV Patients
A large percentage of patients that are HIV positive will at some point deal with kidney damage or failure. It is for this reason that at least 1000 kidney transplants are needed for HIV-positive patients. HIV infection can target kidney functions, and at times, the transplant is rejected or also becomes infected with the virus. For the most part, a transplant in an HIV-positive patient is successful, but the percentage of those rejected is higher than for those who aren’t HIV positive. One medical institute decided to look into why this was this case.
From 2006 to 2011 a study was conducted on 19 patients who were both HIV positive and had kidney transplants. The findings were dramatic, as 68 percent of the transplants became infected with HIV. The number came as a surprise because some of the patients had little to no viral load evident in their blood. Those with undetectable levels of the virus were of particular interest: Even with no trace of infection—thanks to regular antiretroviral treatment—the HIV made its way into the new organ. Next, researchers found one of two types of infection in the kidney. The first one involved podocyte cells and other tubular cells, which each manifesting differently. In particular, podocyte cells in the kidneys, which are the cells involved in the process of filtering the blood, were a target for the HIV. Kidney dysfunction is one of the clinical signs of this type of infection, while the other kind of infection is more inconspicuous.
During the trial, a new way to identify kidney infection was developed. The process involved examining patients’ urine. This made it easier for participants to be tested. The results of this study will hopefully bring about ways to reduce organ rejection and infection, and improve the overall results of kidney transplants in HIV patients.
