Historically a HIV diagnosis meant a very uncertain future and most likely death. This changed with the introduction of what we called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
Treatments Officer
David Crawford is a HIV Treatments Officer at Positive Life NSW. He has worked in the HIV sector and lived with HIV since 1988. David can discuss HIV Treatments with you and help sort out your options or answer your questions on freecall 1800 245 677 or 02 9206 2177 (Direct line) during business hours Monday to Thursday.
Unpacking the message of U=U, viral blips and finding powerful messages based on rigorous science that unites the Body Positive without dividing or excluding some of us.
David Crawford received a HIV hero award for three decades of providing service and care to people living with HIV, including a long-running role as a registered nurse at Ward 17 South at St Vincent’s Hospital. Now a Treatments Officer at Positive Life NSW, David continues to work tirelessly to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV in NSW.
Around a third of us living with HIV (PLHIV) change our drug regimen each year.
Antibiotic resistent gonorrhoea - do we need to be worried? How you can protect yourself and your partners.
What is HAND I hear you say? David Crawford reports back on the recent contribution from PLHIV on the HAND survey.
‘Kick and kill’, ‘bind and gag’, bone marrow transplants, ‘snipping’ HIV – progress is being made in the quest for a cure for HIV. David Crawford casts an eye over the science.
Recently, a guy messaged me with his concerns about a HIV positive friend having sex without condoms. A fairly common situation or scenario you’ve heard before or might be able to relate to in some way.
Suicide, or as we prefer to call it ‘self-delivery’, is shrouded in myths and silence. The most damaging myth is we shouldn’t talk about it.
As Positive Life’s Treatments Officer, I regularly see and hear about the rougher side of living with HIV.
When stigma comes from within - what can we do about it?
Eight years ago Swiss clinicians published a brave conclusion, now known as the ‘Swiss statement’. It stated that the risk of acquiring HIV from someone who was on effective antiretroviral therapy and achieving viral suppression for at least six months was “negligible.”
Positive Life’s Treatment Officer David Crawford asks if we need to be talking with community about the sexual transmission of hepatitis C (HCV and hep C), particularly with men who have sex with men.
We know PrEP is changing the way HIV-negative men navigate sex. But how has it impacted people living with HIV? David Crawford speaks with three HIV-positive people to find out what PrEP means for them.
Our memories of the past can cause anxiety when it comes to taking HIV medicines, writes David Crawford. But leaving the virus untreated for any length of time is no answer. Immediate treatment holds the best and strongest chance for our long term health.
Hot sessions are part of any good sex life but sometimes they can put us at risk. But you can take control of what happens next, writes David Crawford.
Image Credit: Gajus / Shutterstock
PLNSW Treatments Officer explains why it's important to let your partners know if you've been exposed to an STI, HIV or HCV.
It’s not an easy conversation but it’s important to inform your sexual contacts if you’ve been exposed to an STI, HIV or HCV.
On average, from the time of infection, it takes about four years for someone to become aware they are living with HIV. In order to close this window, we need to be talking more about HIV, writes David Crawford.
Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a once a day medication taken to prevent acquiring HIV, is long overdue compared to places like the US.
