British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society Newsletter Issue #97 June/July 1997

2 INTERVIEWS WITH ASIANS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. ASIA is currently looking into the needs of East and Southeast Asians and would like to find out more about their experiences and use of services 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Remembrance of Bader Naja with thanks to the BCPWA Newsletter. BADER NAJA Aug 30, 1951 - Feb 29, 1996 4 IN MEMORIAM MARK ALCOCK - February 27, 1997. 5 LETTER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Congratulations to you all on your recent election to the Board. 6 COMMUNITY FORUM ON THE NEW DRUG TREATMENTS Report on the February 12th, 1997 meeting held at PARC on emerging issues related to the new HIV drug treatments with presentations by Cherryl Brown and Glen Hillson and a faciliated discussion to identify and address key issues which included: Going back to work or school, Disclosure, Insurance and Disability Claims, Unknowns of treatments, CD4 markers, Lab value vs clinical value, Employment options, Time-consuming medical visits. 9 SAFER SEX FOR HIV POSITIVE MEN Reprinted from Postive Nation, Health First; London SE1 1996. Article focusing on the risks of unsafe sex for positive men with an aside about woman-to-woman transmission and a discussion of strategies to avoid transmission or infection focusing on condoms. 14 NUTRITION AND WEIGHT LOSS The importance of managing nutrition and weight loss as a part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for managing HIV/AIDS. Evaluate Nutrition and Exercise as a part of a comprehensive, early intervention strategy. Employ rigorous diagnosis and treatment for causes of weight loss. Consider nutritional and vitamin supplements to replenish defificiencies. Learn the pros and cons of various intervention options. 18 PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF HIV. This article will attempt to summarize some of the latest developments in the study of psychiatric manifestations of HIV disease, review those manifestations associated with drugs commonly used to manage HIV disease, draw attention to the potential for drug interactions, and address treatment issues relevant to the psychatric care of people with HIV. 23 TREATMENT UPDATE Selenium and Lecithin Decrease Beta2 Microglobulin Levels. Concerns About Protease Inhibitors. More Facts about Genital Herpes. Currently Enrolling Trials in Vancouver (April 1997). Hearing Loss and Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients Infected with HIV-1. Laboratory Services Moving to Vancouver General Hospital. 27 RED RIBBON Poetry by Robert Domenic. POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs