Author Archives:
Is it possible to be infected after a 5 second incident to Hepatitis C?
Possibly? Yes, anything is possible. When you say a five second incident, what is the exposure in concern? Five seconds of scratching your ear? Or a needle stick? If it’s a needle stick, it takes less than five seconds to inject yourself with a dirty needle, in which case the infection would likely occur. What […]
Pact inked with Clinton Foundation
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy signed an agreement with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) that supports a program in various areas. The program includes a steady supply of aniretroviral medication, CD4 testing, diagnosis and monitoring and nutritional supplements among other initiatives. Alfredo Idiarte of CHAI said his organization is committed to the program […]
PCR-Based HIV Test Monitors Viral Load
Roche Diagnostic Systems Inc.’s Amplicor H.I.V.-1 monitor test for use in determining viral load in individuals infected with HIV has received FDA approval for marketing. The test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to measure HIV genetic material in the blood. In laboratory studies, the Amplicor test was able in some cases to detect as […]
New test to detect AIDS in children
India became the first country in Asia to implement the DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. The test, which uses a dry blood sampling method could possibly save the lives of many children, particularly those under 18 months of age. The HIV DNA PCR test is a very efficient and convenient way of diagnosing children […]
HIV/AIDS Research: Potent HIV Antibodies Spark Vaccine Hopes
For the past 25 years researchers have been searching for a vaccine against HIV, with almost no luck. However, a recent discovery has brought them closer to a vaccine. Researchers have identified the “most powerful, broad-acting antibodies yet” to fight against multiple strains of HIV. “Broadly neutralizing antibodies” (bNAbs) are not very common. Only six […]
Multiple HIV Tests; Which, if any, are conclusive?
On April 11th, I had a one night stand. On the April 15th, I took an HIV antibody test along with a HIV RNA PCR test. My results came back negative. On May 12th, I took both tests again, and both came back negative again. My question is, should I consider these results conclusive? Or […]
The HIV virus and Vinegar
Can douching with vinegar kill the HIV virus before it infects you? I do not recommend cleaning used needles with vinegar, nor do I recommend douching with bleach. In fact, I would strongly recommend against douching with bleach or using needles. The best thing to do would be to use protection and get tested regularly; […]
What Is My Risk?
Can you access my risk? 4.5 weeks ago, things got out of control at a strip club in Michigan and I received oral sex from two strippers and also fingered them and made out with them. I’m pretty sure I’m not at too much of risk, but could you give me your opinion on what […]
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Transmission
I just received the results from my STD testing and it showed positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1. I haven’t had a cold sore in years. I am in a relationship with a woman and we have both been tested just to make sure. Is it possible to infect my partner by kissing or […]
LTR real-time PCR for HIV-1 DNA quantitation in blood cells for early diagnosis in infants born to seropositive mothers treated in HAART area
HIV-1 diagnosis in babies born to seropositive mothers is one of the challenges of HIV epidemics in children. A simple, rapid protocol was developed for quantifying HIV-1 DNA in whole blood samples and was used in the ANRS French pediatric cohort in conditions of prevention of mother-to-child transmission. A quantitative HIV-1 DNA protocol (LTR real-time […]