Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®) is a facial dermal filler. It is available through the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for the treatment of facial lipoatrophy caused by antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for HIV infection. Research shows that facial fat loss occurs very little (if at all) with modern and newer HIV antiretroviral treatments. Nonetheless, for those who have lived longer... Read more
Category Archives: FAQs
Climbing up that Hill – A Depression and Anxiety Herbal Medicine Study
Are you interested in herbal medicine for health? An approved herbal medicine study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Australian Research Centre of Complementary & Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), in conjunction with the Endeavour College of Natural Health (ECHN) is being conducted from within Herbs on the Hill (Naturopathic and Herbal Clinic) in Brisbane. Who is the study for? Anyone with... Read more
The All or Nothing Mindset
In daily living, it is so easy to get overwhelmed with expectations of what you should be doing…that you end up doing nothing. “I should workout five times a week for at least 30 minutes…but that’s overwhelming, so I won’t work out at all.” “I should eat healthier…but I don’t know where to start so I will just keep eating unhealthy food.” Sound familiar? We’ve all been there, but life does not... Read more
HIV-ASSOCIATED NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS (HAND)
It’s important to identify the signs of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder early. Here is a simple guide to help you recognise the symptoms.
Can I donate blood if I am HIV positive?
No. Before giving blood you must fill out a questionnaire that is designed to assess whether you are, have been, or could be at risk of a blood borne disease, including HIV. This questionnaire operates as a statutory declaration and you must sign it to verify the accuracy of the information you have given. Penalties apply if you do not answer the questionnaire truthfully. Source: HIV/AIDS Legal Centre, Sydney... Read more
What if I think a practitioner is not following Standard Precautions?
If you think that a practitioner is not following standard precautions, then you can draw attention to this without disclosing your own status. For example, you could say “shouldn’t you be wearing gloves? I thought everyone had to wear gloves when there was blood?” Source: HIV/AIDS Legal Centre, Sydney http://halc.org.au/publications/guides-to-hiv-and-the-law/ Read more
Should I disclose to other health care providers?
You do not need to disclose your HIV status to other health care services, like naturopaths, chiropractors or masseurs. However, if your HIV status is relevant to the treatment you are obtaining, then disclosing your status may assist you in obtaining the best outcomes. You should discuss any complementary therapies with your HIV specialist doctor to ensure that they will be suitable for you and not interact badly with... Read more
Should I disclose to my dentist?
You are not legally required to disclose your HIV status to your dentist. However, if your HIV status is relevant to the treatment you are obtaining, then disclosing your status may lead to the best outcomes. Ideally, try and find a dentist who is used to dealing with HIV positive patients so that you will feel comfortable disclosing your status to them. Your HIV specialist doctor may be able to recommend a dentist. ... Read more
If I tell my boss that I’m positive, will it be kept confidential?
There are no effective privacy protections for information provided to an employer. Employers have a general duty to maintain employee confidentiality. In practice, though, if your employer breaches the duty there may be no way to get a satisfactory remedy. Consider very carefully before disclosing your HIV status, because once you have disclosed, you cannot take the information back. While your current boss or supervisor... Read more
I’m worried about infecting other people at work, should I tell my workmates or my boss?
Apart from the exceptions listed above, you do not need to disclose your HIV status to your employer. Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees, and employees also have a duty to protect their own health and safety, and to avoid adversely affecting the health and safety of others in the workplace. Your employer should ensure that Standard Precautions are used if blood or other bodily fluids... Read more
