Turning knowledge into power
There is a lot of information out there about HIV research, and although most of that information is good, some can be misleading. We want to share a few important facts about research and HIV prevention. With knowledge and education, you can turn up your power to prevent HIV.
Got a burning question? Email us at bridgehiv@sfdph.org and we’ll hit you back with an answer. We may even feature your question in a knowledge article!
Basics of HIV
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, or the part of your body that works to keep you healthy by fighting off infections. Over time, and without treatment, HIV can cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), as the Read more>>
Respect and Protect: Ethical Scientific Research
Scientific research has produced important social benefits and health improvements such as development of vaccines for polio and treatments for HIV. However, scientific research has also raised troubling ethical questions. Probably the most infamous example in the U.S. Read more>>
What You Need to Know About VISP (Vaccine–Induced Sero–Positivity)
One of the most common concerns people have about HIV vaccine research is around vaccine–induced Seropositivity, or VISP. So besides being a mouthful, what is VISP? And can it affect me? When our bodies encounter a foreign substance, like a virus, our immune Read more>>
HIV Vaccine Myths and Facts
Myth: HIV vaccines can give people HIV.
Fact: This statement is false: a person CANNOT get HIV from the study vaccines because these study vaccines do not contain real HIV. Some vaccines, like those for typhoid or Read more>>
It’s about more than just sex
In the US, there have been approximately 50,000 new HIV infections every year for more than a decade according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Do the math. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) account for about 2% of the US Read more>>
VIDEO: HIV Prevention Research & the AMP study.
Learn more about the AMP study and how it fits within the landscape of HIV prevention research in these four videos produced by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network & Bridge HIV Read more>>
The Science Behind AMP: It’s not like a Vaccine Study
The AMP Study (also known as HVTN 704/HPTN 085) tests an experimental antibody against HIV. AMP stands for Antibody Mediated Prevention. This is the idea of giving people antibodies that fight HIV to see if they will protect people from becoming infected with Read more>>
An Interview with PrEP Researcher, Dr Albert Liu.
In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Truvada for use in HIV prevention, a strategy known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Bridge HIV’s Director of HIV Prevention Intervention Studies, Dr. Albert Liu, talks about this important HIV Read more>>
The EmpoweRING Future of PrEP
Over half of the 35 million people living with HIV/AIDS around the world are cisgender women*. Here in the United States, AIDS is often problematically conceptualized as a “gay men’s disease,” yet women account for one fourth of all new HIV infections. The majority of Read more>>
Take the Test. Take Control.
June 27th is National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) in the U.S. Held annually since 1995, the event promotes HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment as a critical component of HIV prevention initiatives around the country. Since the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has claimed the Read more>>
Developing & Evaluating Community Engagement through New Technology
Translating complex science into widely accessible language requires a delicate balance of information and emotion. As one community member I encountered this summer insightfully noted, some people are more captivated by a message because they feel a Read more>>
This is CRUSH: the first full-time, youth-based sexual health clinic in the East Bay.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young people aged 13-24 account for approximately one in every four new HIV infections in the United States. We recently interviewed Jonathan Van Nuys, RN MS NP from the CRUSH program at the Read more>>
How to “nAb” HIV
With all the buzz on the HIV prevention pill pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), one may wonder what ever happened to the efforts to find a preventive vaccine. In short, we aren’t giving up and we are actually getting closer to this than ever. We need an HIV vaccine to end Read more>>
The Rectal Revolution is Here!
In July 2013, Bridge HIV, in collaboration with the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Be The Generation, sponsored a screening of the educational and entertaining film The Rectal Revolution is Here!. The screening Read more>>
Transgender Health and HIV Prevention
Every June folks gather at Dolores Park in San Francisco to commemorate Trans March. Kicking off San Francisco Pride weekend, Trans March is a celebration and recognition of transgender and gender nonconforming people and a time to reflect on the ongoing struggle for Read more>>
860 and Counting
“A subtle thought that is an error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.” –Isaac Asimov
Read more>>
Circle of Healing
This year, National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day celebrates life. Our Circle of Healing team at the Native American Health Center delivers this message every day. We walk a thin line between grieving those who have passed from the virus and celebrating Read more>>
Our vulnerability as a community
As a public health advocate, I’m always looking for better ways to reach out to vulnerable populations. After more than two decades of HIV education and intervention, why is it that young gay men of color still have a disproportionately high rate of infection? Read more>>
New Study Seeks Answers in HIV Epidemic
Testing for HIV is the entryway to care. 30 years into the AIDS epidemic we continue to search for new and innovative ways to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, especially in disproportionately affected populations.Dr. Hyman M. Scott, M.D., M.P.H. a research Fellow at UCSF Read more>>
I’m Not Ready to Give Up on PrEP for Women!
In 2010-2011, the world of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was opened up as a possible strategy for women to protect themselves from HIV when the results of three important studies; Caprisa 004, TDF 2 and Partners PrEP; were announced. Read more>>
The “HIV cure” – A cure for one person, not for everyone.
Beginning in 2009, rumors suggesting the discovery of a miraculous “cure for HIV” made their way to major news publications and scientific journals throughout the world. The exciting news revolves around Timothy Ray Brown, a forty year old resident of Berlin infected Read more>>
How to Have Anal Sex That’s Fun and Safe
Let’s Talk About Sex with Garza & Dulce is a safer sex video series that provides information and tips on how to minimize your risks of acquiring Read more>>
How to Use Sex Toys Safely
Let’s Talk About Sex with Garza & Dulce is a safer sex video series that provides information and tips on how to minimize your risks of acquiring Read more>>
Fighting HIV in the Black Community
Rising Blackness – Stories of Resiliency in the Tenderloin Neighborhood of San Francisco. Rising Blackness is a program that draws on the collective strengths and wisdom of Black gay, same gender loving men and transgender women who live in the Read more>>
What’s it Like to be in an HIV Vaccine Trial?
Interview with an HIV Vaccine Trial Participant: Chris is a participant in an HIV vaccine trial. He spoke with David Nalos (Bridge HIV) about his experiences with HIV, his experiences with the trial, and why he chose to participate. Read more>>
