news
Selzentry: The New HIV
Med on the Block
Selzentry (maraviroc) was just approved
last month, and many people -- health professionals included -- are still
only beginning to learn the basics about it. Who can take it? Will it work
against everyone's HIV? This fact sheet from AIDS InfoNet provides an
easy-to-read overview of the newest HIV med on the block, including
information about who should take it and what its possible side effects
are. (Web Highlight: The Body) More Info
One
in Five HIVers Over 40 Have Hardening of Leg Arteries, Study
Finds
One in five HIVers over the age of 40 have experienced
a hardening or narrowing of the arteries in their legs, according to the
results of a Swiss study. That's a far, far higher rate than among the
general population: Up to 4 percent of HIV-negative people between ages 40
and 59 have the condition, which is called peripheral vascular disease.
Researchers aren't sure that HIV itself is the reason for the higher rate;
other factors, like the high rate of smoking among HIVers in the study,
may also be to blame. (Web highlight from aidsmap.com) More Info
Everything You Needed to Know About
Drug-Resistant Staph Infections
Remember all the nagging
adult voices of your childhood, forever reminding you to wash your hands?
It turns out this is particularly good advice if you're HIV positive and
looking to avoid getting a dangerous staph infection. Staph infections
appear on the skin, and can be serious for HIVers -- especially with the
rise of drug-resistant strains of the staph bacteria. This in-depth
article from San Francisco AIDS Foundation provides an overview of these
infections, including tips for prevention and treatment. (Web
Highlight: The Body) More Info
Too Fat or Not Too Fat? That Is the Question -- And There
Are Tests to Find the Answer
Body shape changes, such as
lipoatrophy (fat loss) and lipohypertrophy (fat accumulation), can
dramatically impact not just how HIVers looks, but how they feel about
themselves. Some body shape changes can also affect an HIV-positive
person's physical health: Excess weight is associated with a higher risk
of heart disease, while low weight may increase the rate at which
HIV progresses. That's why it's so important to recognize body shape
changes early, when it still may be possible to stop the problem before it
gets worse. Take a moment to read this fact sheet from AIDS InfoNet about
a number of tests that your health care provider can use to keep track of
your body shape. (Web Highlight: The Body) More Info
Kidney Problems and HIV: What You Should
Know
"Hey doc, are my kidneys OK?" This simple question
could save your life, according to Dr. Lynda Szczech, a physician and
kidney specialist. Nearly one-third of HIV-positive people are thought to
have kidney problems, a fact many people aren't aware of. To avoid
developing full-blown kidney disease, HIVers are advised to get educated
about their kidneys and get them checked regularly. This in-depth article
explains how kidney function is tested, describes kidney problems that are
common in people with HIV, and outlines some treatment options. (Web
Highlight: The Body) More Info
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