The impact of our research
HIV/AIDS is a complex global health problem that requires national and international collaboration. QIMR Berghofer has been committed to such collaboration for several years, and our expertise in immunology and virology should enable significant progress.
Our researchers have undertaken pre-clinical trials of a genetic treatment to permanently suppress HIV.
We’ve found a protein that switches off HIV infection in cells, potentially paving the way for a cure.
About HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects vital cells within the immune system and leads to the severest form of HIV disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Left untreated, the virus cripples the immune system, making even the most common illnesses potentially life-threatening.
HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic and ranks as the largest killer of any infectious disease. More than 36 million people have now died from AIDS and 38 million people were infected with HIV at the end of 2019.
HIV infection spreads through:
- sexual contact
- transfer of bodily fluids
- blood transfusion
- sharing needles
- contact with infected blood, or
- from mother to child during pregnancy.
HIV infections are not based on age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. However, you’re most at risk if you:
- have a current or former partner with HIV;
- share needles or syringes with an HIV-positive partner;
- are exposed to infected blood.
Most people have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like symptoms.
These symptoms can develop 10 to 14 days after infection, including:
- fever
- fatigue
- headache
- sore muscles and joints
- sore throat
- swollen lymph glands in the neck, underarm or groin areas
- rash.
In 2022, approximately 29,000 people in Australia had HIV. Infections are declining in Australia and are down 48% over the past 10 years.
There is no cure for HIV, and once you’ve contracted the infection, you have it for life. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can dramatically slow the disease’s progress and prevent secondary infections and complications.
ART has made a significant impact on the life expectancy of people living with HIV in OECD* countries. The life expectancy of people living with HIV is now close to that of the general population. However, people with HIV may face challenges due to co-morbidities. These include:
- cardiovascular disease and stroke;
- chronic neurologic complications;
- cancers;
- osteoporosis and fracture;
- depression;
- diabetes mellitus;
- chronic renal disease;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
HIV drug resistance to ART remains a global challenge. Some HIV infections mutate and can no longer be controlled with drugs that were previously effective. The World Health Organisation monitors HIV drug resistance and reports that some countries have high levels of resistance to commonly-used drugs, including nevirapine and efavirenz. * OECD is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and includes Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among many others.