24 May 2018

HTLV-1

Health, HIV, Science & Medicine, Sexual Health

 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 

 

Subscribe to Well, Well, Well podcasts on iTunes!

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:53 — 52.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Deezer | RSS

17 Dec 2025

Activism and the Early HIV/AIDS Response with Ian Hunter MLC

Advocacy and Activism, Community, HIV, Sexual Health, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Cal talks with South Australian Legislative Council Member Ian Hunter about the murder of George Duncan that ignited South Australia’s push ...

10 Dec 2025

Mainstream services supporting queer clients – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 5

Advocacy and Activism, Family Violence, Health, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

In the final episode of our 16 Days of Activism series, we're turning to the health and support systems themselves. We ...

10 Dec 2025

Supporting those who use harm to change – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 4

Advocacy and Activism, Family Violence, Health, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Ending intimate partner and gender violence means supporting those who use harm to change. In this episode we explore what that ...