Georgia Hospital Possibly Exposes Veterans to HIV, HCV

Due to improperly sterilized equipment, over 4,600 veterans who had been given care at the Carl Vinson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, were tested for exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Study Looks at Provider Experience and Life Stressors as Impacts to Patient Adherence in HIV

According to new research that was published in AIDS and Behavior in January 2022, having an understanding of patient experiences and expectations in addition to individual life stressors in the clinical setting may improve overall outcomes. Despite considerable improvements in antiviral therapies, the investigators of the study stated that retention in HIV is still a barrier to bringing an end to the HIV epidemic.

COVID-19 Outcomes for Those With HIV

Although initial studies showed that there was not a greater risk in mortality in individuals with HIV infected with COVID-19, larger analyses that were adjusted for age showed otherwise.

The Cancer Risk for Those With HIV

Individuals with HIV have a considerably greater risk for certain types of cancer vs those who do not have HIV at the same age, which are known as “AIDS-defining malignancies,” that are Kaposi sarcoma, aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer.

Facts About HIV

Of the estimated 1.2 million individuals who have HIV in the United States, approximately 13% of them need testing, as they don’t know that they have it.

HIV and AIDS Overview

HIV targets and alters the immune system, and without treatment, the virus may advance to stage III HIV, or AIDS. Those with HIV who have access to quality healthcare are unlikely to develop advanced disease.