Fact or Fiction: The Most Common Myths About HIV and AIDS
Karen Tashima, MD, director of the HIV Clinical Trials Program at The Miriam Hospital, dispels some of the most common myths about HIV/AIDS.
Comprehensive HIV Primary and Specialty Care
HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death in the world; approximately four million new infections occur each year. The Immunology Center employs world-renowned infectious diseases physicians dedicated to helping those with HIV/AIDS live longer, fuller lives.
The goal of the center is to provide comprehensive, up-to-date and compassionate care for all persons living with HIV. The multidisciplinary practice involves clinical care as well as a strong research component that offers patients early access to promising new therapies.
The center provides comprehensive care to more than 1,500 patients with HIV, provided by a team of physicians who are leaders in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of HIV and STDs; nurses; social workers and case managers. More than 70 percent of the individuals in Rhode Island who are HIV-infected are connected with primary medical care through the center.
The center offers:
- Comprehensive care for HIV-infected patients
- A program for HIV-infected women that offers case management, clinical trials and gynecological care, including colposcopy
- Preconception counseling for HIV-infected women and men, including serodiscordant couples, as well as specialized care of HIV-infected pregnant women in collaboration with their obstetricians
- The country’s first HIV and menopause clinic
- An HIV program for adolescents that offers intensive care and long-term support
- One of the country’s first HIV/viral hepatitis co-infection treatment programs
- Infectious diseases and HIV-related clinical trials sponsored by the federal government and pharmaceutical companies
- Free active outreach care and HIV/STD prevention for substance abusers (particularly heroin and cocaine needle users), offered in collaboration with AIDS Care Ocean State
- HIV care that is linked to the community at the state prison and substance abuse treatment sites
- Participation in four federally funded HIV prevention programs for adolescents, high-risk women, and men and women leaving prison
The Immunology Center is a major component of the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research — one of 19 centers located at leading AIDS research institutions nationwide that are focused on exploring new opportunities for HIV/AIDS research through interdisciplinary collaboration and shared resources.
For more information about HIV primary and specialty care at the Immunology Center, call 401-793-2928.
