HTLV-1

 

It's been reported as the cousin to HIV affecting remote communities in Australia, with up to 40% of some communities affected. So why don't we know as much about HTLV-1 as its distant relative, HIV?

Michael talks with Damian Purcell, the Head of Molecular Virology Laboratory, The University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute to unpack exactly what this virus is, how it relates to the HIV epidemic here in Australia, and what we need to consider.

We unpack the epidemiology of the virus, symptoms, what health concerns HTLV-1 has for those at risk, and the future of treatments and potential cures being researched.

Links:

Human T lymphotropic virus information from Northern Territory Government

From the U.S. National Institute of Health: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 

The Australasian Society for HIV Medicines (ASHM) Letter to the WHO: Time for Action on HTLV-1 

 

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Head to www.vac.org.au for more information about VAC's LGBTI health and well-being services

This show, Episode #620 originally aired Thursday 24th May, 2018.