Christmas and the New Year
The Christmas holidays are almost here. Many people find that the Christmas and New Year holidays provide a welcome and enjoyable mid-winter break.
Here are a few useful reminders that could help you prepare for the holiday season.
HIV Weekly is having a break next week. The first edition of 2012 will be published on 4 January. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
HIV, stigma and gay men
A new study has shown that gay men continue to stigmatise HIV.
A team of European and Canadian researchers – many of whom were HIV-positive – conducted a review of research into stigma and HIV within communities of gay men.
They found there was little high-quality research in this area.
However, the studies that had been conducted showed that a large proportion of men had experienced stigma on the gay scene, and that many HIV-positive men thought there was a divide between themselves and men who were HIV-negative.
Men with HIV commonly reported fear of rejection by potential sexual partners. This had a damaging effect on self-confidence and self-esteem.
Older HIV-positive men were especially likely to report stigma.
Stigma had a damaging impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. There was also some evidence that men who felt stigmatised were less likely to take their HIV medication properly.
Treatment for AIDS-related lymphomas
Modern HIV treatment means that AIDS-related cancers are much less common than they used to be.
When AIDS-related lymphomas occur, they are usually treated with a combination of anti-cancer drugs called CHOP.
The German research involved 156 HIV-positive people diagnosed with lymphoma between 2005 and 2009.
Most had their HIV diagnosed late.
The addition of rituximab to chemotherapy significantly improved survival rates. A CD4 cell count above 100 was also associated with better survival.
Rituximab appeared to be safe. The researchers therefore conclude that the use of rituximab improved overall and progression-free survival. This effect was seen “even in the setting of severe immune deficiency and was not associated with an increased risk of fatal infections.”
Treatment of pre-cancerous anal lesions
A clinic-based treatment seems to be a safe and effective treatment for pre-cancerous anal lesions.
Doctors in New York treated over 200 gay men, many of who were HIV-positive, with a therapy called electrocautery ablation.
Rates of anal cancer are higher in people with HIV than in the general population. The rates are highest of all in gay men with HIV.
Infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cell changes in the anus that can lead to cancer.
Early detection of these changes, or lesions, is important so that treatment can be provided.
One such treatment is electrocautery ablation.
This treatment can be provided in a clinic without the need for sedation or anaesthetic. Lesions are gently worn down by passing a small blade over them.
Eighteen months after treatment, 83% of HIV-negative men and 69% of those with HIV were free of high-grade pre-cancerous anal lesions.
Pain after treatment was the most commonly reported side-effect. However, this was adequately controlled with mild painkillers.