AIDS 2026 – 26th International AIDS Conference July 26–31 2026 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (hybrid) https://www.iasociety.org/conferences/aids2026

Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2026) February 22–25 2026 Denver, Colorado, USA https://www.croiconference.org

International Workshop on HIV & Women 2026 April 10–11 2026 Prague, Czech Republic https://academicmedicaleducation.com

ACTHIV 2026 (American Conference for the Treatment of HIV)April 30 – May 2 2026 Atlanta, Georgia, USA https://www.acthiv.org

Continuum 2026 (International Association of Providers of AIDS Care)June 21–24 2026 San Juan, Puerto Ricohttps://www.iapac.org/conferences/continuum-2026/

National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment August 4–7 2026 Washington, DC, USA https://ryanwhiteconference.hrsa.gov

Major Global TB Conference

The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2026 (world’s leading TB conference) November 17–20 2026Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://worldlunghealth.org/

We recently came across what may be a solution to a disparity of this magnitude at the 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention this past summer in Kuala Lumpur. ViroChannel (

http://virochannel.com

), developed from an established medical clinic and center of excellence in Montreal. ViroChannel is a new clinical education and research development media outlet for physicians and others working and involved in HIV. With extensive coverage of the most relevant new data presented at the leading HIV/AIDS and related scientific conferences, the opportunities with this new tool for collaboration to advance our knowledge and understanding of HIV and related viral infections such as Hepatitis C and HPV are endless. ViroChannel provides its members with video clips and articles, where leaders in the field discuss and share their thoughts on late breaking information to aid in collaboration and innovative thought for the development and advancement of clinical competency.

VirocCannel offers provides conference coverage, interviews with leading physicians and researchers discussing the highlights from vital HIV and Hepatology conferences such as the 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, the Conference on Retrovirology and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR), European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) and other leading conferences, which are currently available on the website and as part of their programming. With the great level of HIV and related conferences, this provides a resource for clinicians and care providers- and soon consumers- to acquire the most current, life-saving information.

The proof that this model can work is evident from CROI. It’s been more than a decade since AIDS activists had to fight their way into CROI. Today, while all major scientific meetings receive significant coverage from A&U, Positively Aware, HIV Bulletin, nam, TheBody and POZ, the CROI website, in an act of historical redemption, provides incredible coverage of what is still considered the most important AIDS conference in the world. ViroChannel makes it that much easier to put the information with which we are being bombarded into practice, at the point where it will save lives, ensure that our clinical investigations remain relevant and provide our best scientists, advocates and doctors with the tools they need to usher in the next wave of clinical advances. There is a significant need for medical education and health literacy in the field of HIV, as managing patients has become increasingly complex and the flow of new data is emerging at an increasing rate. It is an important resource for new clinicians entering into the epidemic. ViroChannel’s Community section offers its members forums and groups to discuss issues and articles of their choosing, including the articles published on the site. The structure of the website promotes networking and communication between members and helps to bolster clinical competency in patient care with a steady, streamlined flow of information on current medical advances.

ViroChannel is an excellent source of information dissemination not only to clinicians unable to attend vital HIV scientific conferences, but also for patients, activists and others interested in increasing their knowledge to support important work in the field,” stated Jeannie Wraight, AIDS treatment activist.

The Program section offers information on a variety of topics effecting both physicians and patients. This section includes updates on special populations, which provides insights into treating specific groups such as IV drug users, drug resistant patients and other vulnerable populations. HAART regimen strategies are covered in-depth, as are adverse effects and co-morbidities. As the CDC reported last summer that only 1 out of every 4 people living with HiV in the U.S. are able to achieve durable viral suppression and increasing levels of drug resistance in the U.S. and PEPFAR-partner countries are consistently being reported, ViroChannel may prove to be an indispensable tool for HIV clinicians to reverse this trend by increasing clinical competency and ensuring state of the art developments in treatment are translating into practice.

Originally published on PanAware on Wordpress.com on January 21, 2014. By Jeannie Wraight.

When to use PEP – PEP is intended for singular cases of possible HIV exposure. PEP can be used after:

• An episode of unprotected sex with a person known or thought to be HIV positive.

• If a condom breaks or comes off while having sex with someone who may be HIV positive.

• An incident of sexual assault.

• The use of shared injection drug equipment with a person who may be HIV positive.

• An occupational exposure (called oPEP) occurring in a healthcare worker.

NOTE: PEP recommendations differ from country to country and sometimes by state/providence. Some recommendations have concluded that PEP is not necessary if possible exposure occurred with a person known to be HIV positive with an undetectable viral load.

NOTE: PEP recommendations differ from country to country and sometimes by state/providence. Some recommendations have concluded that PEP is not necessary if possible exposure occurred with a person known to be HIV positive with an undetectable viral load.

PEP is not a substitute for other methods of HIV prevention such as condoms/safe sex practices and sterile injection drug equipment.

Where to get PEP – PEP can be obtained by visiting a doctor, an HIV clinic, an urgent care clinic or the emergency room.

What drugs are used for PEP – PEP consists of a combination of HIV antiretrovirals; the same medications people living with HIV take to control HIV. A doctor will prescribe a drug regimen consisting of 3 or more medications that are best suited for each patient. As discussed below, side effects can be a big deterrent to the successful completion of PEP. As such, a discussion of the side effects and toxicities related to choices of PEP regimens should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor to conclude which regimen would work best for each individual. Doctors should be informed of all other medications being taken, including herbs and supplements, as interactions may exist.

Side Effects – There may be serious side effects associated with PEP, depending on how a person’s body reacts to each medication. It is vital that all prescribed doses are taken despite side effects. This may not be easy. A study of health-care workers on PEP reported that 40% did not complete the regimen due to side effects. Keep in mind that missed doses or taking an incomplete regimen can lead to HIV infection which will require years or life time use of the same drugs used for PEP.

Side effects include but are not limited to:

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness

• Rash

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Muscle ache

Originally published on PanAware on Wordpress.com on January 21, 2014. By Jeannie Wraight.

Who should use PrEP? – Research has shown mixed results dependent on the population tested.

• Men who have sex with men – The iPpEx study found a 44% reduction in risk in men who had sex with men who took Truvada.

• Heterosexual discordant couples – The Partners PrEP study followed 4747 couples in which one partner was HIV positive and the other was HIV negative. The negative partners were randomized to Truvada, TDF or placebo. Of the 82 partners infected, 17 were in the TDF arm, 13 in the Truvada arm and 52 in the plecebo arm. This equated to a 67% reduction with TDF and 75% with Truvada. Another study in heterosexuals called TDF2 found a 62% reduction with Truvada.

• Women – Results from the VOICE study which measured two potential prevention methods (PrEP and microbocide gel), showed that PrEP was not a viable option as protection against HIV for African women. The 5029 women study measured Truvada as PrEP, Tenofovir as PrEP and a Tenofovor based microbocide gel. Similar results were seen in the FEM-PrEP study. In this study of 2120 HIV negative women in South Africa and Tanzania, the rate of HIV infection in women on PrEP versus women receiving placebo were virtually the same (4.7% verses 5%).

• IV Drug Users – A study of 2,413 men and women who inject drugs in Thailand reported a 49% decrease in HIV infection with the use of Tenofovir.

What drugs are used as PrEP? – Truvada was approved for PrEP in the U.S. In July of 2012. Truvada is a combination of Tenofovir and Emtricitabine.

Side Effects – People taking Truvada for PrEP may experience side effects such as diarrhea, nausea and gut pain, as well as headache and weight loss. Kidney damage and a reduction in bone density have also been seen in some people, though it is reported that these adverse events reverse with discontinuation of Truvada. It is yet to be seen whether long term side effects occur.

How do I get PrEP? – PrEP should be prescribed by a doctor and not taken on your own under any circumstance.

You should not take PrEP if:

• You are unable to be tested regurally for HIV.

• You are unable to take PrEP daily as prescribed.

• You do not know your Hep B status.

• You have kidney problems.

• You do not know your HIV status.

Originally published on PanAware on Wordpress.com on January 21, 2014. By Jeannie Wraight.