Harvard Aids expert says Pope "correct" on condoms and spread of HIV -Times Online

"Harvard Aids expert says Pope 'correct' on condoms and spread of HIV
The head of Harvard's Aids Prevention Centre says condom use does not lower HIV infection rates

The head of a Harvard-based AIDs prevention centre says the Pope is “correct” to claim that condom distribution risks aggravating the transmission of HIV.

Last week Benedict XVI incurred the wrath of AIDs campaigners and criticism from the Governments of France and Germany for saying, en route to Africa, that AIDS could not “be overcome by the distribution of condoms.” In comments condemned as 'scary' and 'alienating' by members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Benedict XVI lauded monogamy as a way to combat the spread of AIDs. He said that condom distribution risked exaggerating the spread of the virus."

SF Sexual Health Examiner: Circumcision reduces the sexual tranmission of HIV, herpes, and HPV

"Circumcision reduces the sexual tranmission of HIV, herpes, and HPV

An article published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine provides more information about the potential role of male circumcision in the global control of sexually transmitted diseases. More than 5,000 uncircumcised men in Uganda were enrolled to study the effectiveness of circumcision in reducing transmission of genital herpes (HSV-2) and the genital wart virus (HPV, or human papilloma virus)."

Florida Veterans Stream for Testing After H.I.V. Warning - NYTimes.com

"Florida Veterans Stream for Testing After H.I.V. Warning

MIAMI — Hundreds of veterans, some in fatigues, others in wheelchairs, streamed into the Miami Veterans Hospital on Wednesday to be tested for H.I.V. and hepatitis after officials there announced that improperly cleaned colonoscopy equipment might have exposed them to infection."

Doctors, assistants plead guilty in $10M Medicare scam - South Florida - MiamiHerald.com

"Doctors, assistants plead guilty in $10M Medicare scam

Two Miami-Dade doctors and their medical assistants have pleaded guilty to plotting to defraud Medicare of $10 million with phony claims for HIV-infusion treatments that patients did not need or receive, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, 54; Dr. Carlos Garrido, 69; Gonzalo Nodarse, 38; and Alexis Carrazana, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare-fraud conspiracy."

VOA News - WHO Report: More People Dying of TB Are Infected With HIV

"WHO Report: More People Dying of TB Are Infected With HIV

South African patients of the Tuberculosis (TB) center in Khayelitsha, on the south-western coast of South Africa, wait to see doctors, 23 Mar 2009
Patients of the Tuberculosis (TB) center in Khayelitsha, on the south-western coast of S. Africa, wait to see doctors, 23 Mar 2009
A new report by the World Health Organization shows a close link between tuberculosis and HIV. The World Health Organization is launching it's Global Tuberculosis Control Report on World TB Day."

Thousands of vets at Miami VA center at risk of HIV infections - On Deadline - USATODAY.com

"Thousands of vets at Miami VA center at risk of HIV infections

Thousands of veterans who underwent certain routine medical procedures at Miami's VA Medical Center since 2004 are at risk of being infected with hepatitis or HIV, The Miami Herald reports.

John Vara, the center's chief of staff, says the risk of infection is low, but that 'any risk is unacceptable,' the newspaper reports."

Microbicide Promising As HIV Prevention Method For Women, Clinical Trial Suggests

Microbicide Promising As HIV Prevention Method For Women, Clinical Trial Suggests: "A clinical trial involving more than 3,000 women in the U.S. and southern Africa demonstrates for the first time the promise of a vaginal microbicide gel for preventing HIV infection in women. According to findings presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), one 0.5 % dose of a microbicide designed to prevent HIV from attaching to cells in the genital tract, was 30% effective."

HIV awareness fair offers free testing to women, girls - San Jose Mercury News

HIV awareness fair offers free testing to women, girls - San Jose Mercury News: "San Mateo County will host an HIV awareness health fair today in Redwood City offering local women and girls free private risk-reduction counseling and HIV tests with near-immediate results.

The fair will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Fair Oaks Community Center at 2600 Middlefield Road. The San Mateo County STD/HIV Education and Prevention Program is hosting the fair to mark National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

According to the county, a quarter of all new HIV infections occur in women. More than 80 percent are black women or Hispanic women. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for black women between 25 and 34 years old, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services"

'U of M' scientists discover how to block HIV - Minneapolis-St. Paul- msnbc.com

"A significant finding at the University of Minnesota research labs in Minneapolis.

On a small scale trial using monkeys, two doctors have found out how to block the transmission of HIV using, what in simplest terms, is a doctored up form of ky-jelly.

'It has the kind of efficacy that would avert millions of cases of HIV if it were used even part of the time by women,' Dr. Ashley Haase, lead researcher of the project said."