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

19 Feb 2026

Jimpa and intergenerational conversations in our communities

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

Director Sophie Hyde and actor Aud-Mason Hyde unpack the new film, Jimpa, tracing the story’s roots to Professor Jim Hyde. Jim was ...

12 Feb 2026

Lunar New Year with Gay Asian Proud

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

How can we strengthen community ties with a queer Lunar New Year celebration? James Tapa from Gay Asian Proud (GAP) joins ...

6 Feb 2026

Heated Rivalry and Queer Ice Hockey in Melbourne

Advocacy and Activism, Community, Sport, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

We dive into the TV series Heated Rivalry, exploring how the show portrays LGBTQ+ athletes in a mixed‑gender ice‑hockey setting. Kade ...