People living with HIV that have higher-than-normal lipid levels consume more fat, saturated fat and more cholesterol than the general population, according to a study published in the July 31st issue of AIDS.
The study suggests that antiretroviral medication may not be solely to blame for raised lipid levels in positive people. Rather, it may be due to a number of factors including compensating for increased energy expenditure or changes in taste.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
