About AIDS

Trying to manage HIV by itself is a major challenge. If someone is co-infected with Hepatitis C virus, the challenge is doubled. However, that describes perhaps 20-30% of our new HIV-infected patients in Austin today.

On Thursday, July 29, Austin will have a valuable opportunity to hear from one of the nation's leading experts on HIV/HCV co-infection. Jules Levin, executive director of the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project, headquartered in New York, will present a three-hour seminar on this chronic illness.

What is HIV/HCV co-infection? Who has it, and how are HIV and HCV similarly spread? How are the two infections treated, and why does treating one often complicate treating the other? Any hope for meaningful

treatment, cure, or vaccine? These and other topics will be included in Dr. Levin's talk.

There are probably at least four times as many Americans – perhaps 4 million – carrying HCV as HIV. Many, perhaps the majority of, HCV-positive people do not know they are infected, yet they are also infectious to others.

Like HIV, Hepatitis C is a potentially fatal, long-term disease process that takes years to develop. Minorities and the music and entertainment industries will be among the hardest hit.

The July 29 program will be from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the ALLGO theatre, 701 Tillery in East Austin. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:00. The event is sponsored by AIDS Services of Austin, ALLGO, ATCHD, CARE, and Women Rising. Admission is free, but space is limited, so reserve your seat today: Call toll-free 1-888-26-NATAP (266-2827).