How accurate are fourth-generation combination tests for HIV
WEBGlossary. Fourth-generation laboratory tests are extremely accurate. The key measures of accuracy are sensitivity (the percentage of results that are correctly positive when HIV is actually present) and specificity (the percentage of results that are correctly negative when HIV is not present). In terms of sensitivity, a Centers for Disease ...
What draws gay men to slamming: the rush, pleasure or kinship?
WEBJan 13, 2023 · Gay and bisexual men living in the Netherlands reported intense rush, less sexual inhibition, pleasure and kinship among the perceived benefits of slamming in a master thesis titled ‘Meth, Sex, Health and Pleasure’ from Utrecht University. Slamming is the intravenous injection of crystal methamphetamine (also known as …
On-demand PrEP is highly effective, but some may find it confusing
WEBJul 8, 2020 · On-demand PrEP is also known as event-based PrEP or PrEP 2-1-1. It involves taking two tablets 2 to 24 hours before engaging in sex, taking a single tablet 24 hours after the first two, and another tablet 24 hours after that. On-demand PrEP using daily Truvada was shown to be highly effective for gay and …
The stages of HIV infection - Aidsmap
WEBThe most commonly experienced symptoms are fever, swollen glands, muscle aches and tiredness. The severity of symptoms at this stage can vary considerably between people – they can be so mild as to go unnoticed, or so severe that admission to hospital is needed. They usually go away within two to three weeks.
Female-to-female sexual transmission of HIV - Aidsmap
WEBKey points. The risk of female-to-female sexual transmission is extremely rare, with only a handful of reported cases. HIV-positive women who identify as lesbian may have acquired HIV through injecting drug use or sex with men. Transmission is possible through sharing of sex toys and exposure to blood during sex.
Biktarvy - Aidsmap
WEBBiktarvy is a medication used to treat HIV. It is a combination of three separate antiretroviral drugs in one pill, taken once a day. It combines 50mg of bictegravir, 200mg of emtricitabine and 25mg of tenofovir alafenamide in a purplish-brown tablet with ‘GSI’ on one side and ‘9883’ on the other side of the tablet.
How likely is mother-to-child transmission of HIV? - Aidsmap
WEBTransmission from pregnant women with diagnosed HIV has fallen to 0.3% and 0.2% in the UK and France respectively. In 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa surveyed in 2019, the transmission rate varied between 2 and 25%. The countries with the best figures were Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa and Namibia (all below 5%).
CD4 cell counts - Aidsmap
WEBYour CD4 cell count gives you an indication of the health of your immune system – your body’s natural defence system against pathogens, infections and illnesses. CD4 cells are sometimes also called T-cells, T-lymphocytes, or helper cells. Your CD4 cell count is the number of blood cells in a cubic millimetre of blood (a very small blood ...
Viral load - Aidsmap
WEBYou should have your viral load measured when you are first diagnosed with HIV. If it is known that you have very recently become HIV positive (a period known as primary infection), you will have it measured three to six months later to determine your viral load ‘set point’ – the level of your viral load once it stabilises when the period of …
Do condoms work? - Aidsmap
WEBA 2015 modelling study found that African-American men who have sex with men who always use condoms and who take PrEP on 90% of days would have an estimated 92% lower HIV risk than those who never use condoms or PrEP. This study assumed that consistent condom use prevents 70% of infections, as in Dawn Smith’s study.