In episode 76 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Kelly Gebo joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the impact of long-acting injectable HIV treatments on public health. Dr Gebo is Dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. An infectious disease physician-scientist, educator, and accomplished academic leader, Dr Gebo’s work focuses on health equity, access to care, and outcomes for people affected by infectious diseases such as HIV, COVID-19, and Mpox. Dr Gebo and Dr Saag discuss the current state of HIV epidemiology, the promise of long-acting injectables, and strategies to improve access and prevention efforts. Dr Saag and Dr Gebo also emphasize that advocacy is needed to expand access to long-acting injectable HIV treatments to reach at-risk populations.

In episode 75 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Shibani Mukerji joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation she gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Cognitive Aging in HIV: Clinical Assessment and Management. Dr Mukerji is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and is a practicing neurologist in the Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research focuses on HIV pathogenesis in the central nervous system and her clinical focus is neurology-infectious diseases, with specific interests in neurological complications and aging in people living with HIV. Dr Mukerji shares her journey in neurology, her research on HIV and neurological complications, and insights into brain health in aging populations, especially those with HIV. Dr Mukerji and Dr Saag offer practical approaches to cognitive assessment, sleep, mood, and movement issues, emphasizing a longitudinal, patient-centered model of care.

In episode 74 of Going anti-Viral, Dr John Frater joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation he gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Immunology of HIV Cure and Beyond: Navigating Immunology Presentations at CROI 2026.  Dr Frater is a Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Oxford where he leads the HIV Reservoir and Cure Group. The aim of his research is to explore strategies for targeting the reservoir of latent HIV infection in treated individuals, with a specific interest in primary HIV infection. He is a lead investigator on several major HIV clinical studies, many of which include antiretroviral therapy treatment interruptions. His laboratory focus is on immune responses that may lead to viral control and the impact of viral variation. Dr Frater and Dr Saag discuss the basics of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy as well as the barriers to HIV cure. They also address complexities of HIV latency and the challenges in identifying and eliminating latent reservoirs. Dr Frater addresses the promising strategies involving immune responses in targeting reservoirs and the role of early treatment in HIV cure.

In episode 73 of Going anti-Viral, we represent a panel discussion from March 26, 2026, as part of the IAS–USA Dialogue series Emerging Infections and Health Threats. This Dialogue is a must listen as our distinguished panel of infectious disease experts dives deep into some of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today. Moderated by Carlos del Rio, MD, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, this Dialogue brings together world-class experts Yvonne Maldonado, MD, and Peter Chin-Hong, MD. The panel discusses a recent federal court ruling regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and addresses the latest news on rates of vaccination and an update on emerging viral outbreaks, including measles, influenza, COVID-19, meningitis, tuberculosis, mpox, and RSV. The panel also reflects on the implications of the lack of leadership at the CDC on public health.

In episode 72 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Alan Winston joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation he gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Neurodegeneration and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With HIV: Biomarkers and Epidemiology. Dr Winston is a Professor of HIV and Genitourinary Medicine at Imperial College London and Consultant Physician at St. Mary’s Hospital, London. His research focuses on noninfectious comorbidities associated with HIV in the modern antiretroviral era, with a strong focus on central nervous system complications. He is the principal clinical investigator on the POPPY study, a cohort study describing the incidence and nature of comorbidities in HIV. Dr Winston and Dr Saag discuss the history and current understanding of neurodegeneration and dementia risk in older adults with HIV and review the impact of antiretroviral therapy and neuroinflammation. They review clinical assessment and screening for dementia and neurodegenerative disease including a detailed discussion of imaging techniques and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) examination.

In episode 71 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Peter Hunt joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide a review of the science presented at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Hunt is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco and is the Associate Chief for Research in the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Department of Medicine, and Co-Director of the UCSF-Bay Area Center for AIDS Research for Basic and Translational Science. He was also a Vice Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for CROI 2026. Dr Hunt provides an in-depth overview of the key scientific presentations at CROI, highlighting breakthroughs in HIV research, pediatric HIV treatment, biology of the HIV capsid, vaccine research, and innovative therapies. Dr Hunt and Dr Saag also discussed new antiretroviral formulations and highlights of the state of HIV cure research.

In episode 70 of Going anti-Viral, Peter Staley joins host Dr Michael Saag after giving the Martin Delaney presentation at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled ”Annus Horribilis” and The War on Science: Thoughts on Resisting and Rebuilding. Mr Staley shares his inspiring story as a pioneering HIV and LGBTQ+ rights activist, recounting his journey from the early days of the AIDS crisis to groundbreaking activism leading to a seat at the table with clinicians and researchers in bringing life-saving treatments to people with HIV and AIDS. Dr Saag and Mr Staley also reflect on the recent era of anti-science activism during the COVID-19 pandemic and share their advice for young researchers who may be the generation of scientists that bring about a cure for HIV.

In episode 69 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Kevin Saunders joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a plenary presentation he gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Successes in HIV-1 Vaccine Design: Accelerating Completion of One of Sciences’ Most Difficult Vaccines. Dr Saunders is the associate director for the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and the Norman L. Letvin Professor in Immunology and Infectious Diseases Research. Dr Saunders leads a translational research program that designs and evaluates HIV-1 vaccines. Dr Saunders shares his journey from studying T-cell immunity to pioneering HIV vaccine research. He discusses the challenges of developing an HIV vaccine, the promise of broad neutralizing antibodies, and the innovative use of mRNA technology. Dr Saunders also shares his outlook and optimism for the next 5 years of HIV vaccine development including the use machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to accelerate the development timeline.

In episode 68 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Ruanne Barnabas joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss topic of a symposium session at the upcoming the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Strategic and Resilient Responses to the Funding Crisis Across Africa. Dr Barnabas is the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her work is focused on identifying effective and scalable HIV, HPV, and infectious diseases treatment and prevention strategies that increase access across diverse communities and promote equity in health. Dr Barnabas discusses the substantial progress made in global health, particularly in HIV treatment and prevention. She also discusses the impact of funding cuts from USAID on health systems and highlights with Dr Saag the importance of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in delivering effective care. Dr Barnabas outlines the presentations to be given at the upcoming symposium at CROI 2026 addressing the HIV funding crisis, emphasizing community resilience, and the future of health equity.

In episode 67 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Martin Hirsch joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss his career in HIV medicine, mentorship, and his scientific legacy. Dr Hirsch is a Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School and was Director of the Harvard Collaborative AIDS Treatment Evaluation Unit from 1986 to 2003 and Director of the Harvard Multidisciplinary AIDS Research Training Grant. Dr Hirsch’s research focused on finding drug combinations that delay the development of multidrug resistance and reduce viral replication in HIV-1 infection. Dr Hirsch served as an Editorial Board member for numerous prestigious medical journals over the past 3 decades, including AIDS, the New England Journal of Medicine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, and the Journal of Infectious Diseases, where he was Editor-in-Chief. Dr Hirsch discusses his extensive career, the evolution of antiviral therapies, and the importance of mentorship in science. He reflects on his early experiences, the emergence of HIV, and the collaborative efforts that led to advancements in treatment. Dr Hirsch emphasizes the need for individualized mentorship and shares insights on the future of HIV research and his optimism for the potential of HIV prophylactic treatments.

In episode 66 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Nicolas Chomont joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide a preview of the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Chomont is Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for CROI 2026 and is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology at the Université de Montréal and a researcher at the CHUM Research Centre. Dr Chomont discusses CROI 2026, highlighting its significance in advancing HIV research and treatment. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the support for new investigators, and ongoing research for an HIV cure. The discussion provides the overall themes of the abstracts accepted for CROI 2026 as well as the plenary sessions, symposia, and the impact of funding cuts on research and treatment. Dr Chomont expresses optimism about the future of HIV research and the collaborative spirit of the conference.

In episode 65 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Gerald Friedland joins host Dr Michael Saag as the recipient of the IAS–USA Lifetime of Leadership Award, established nearly 15 years ago to honor individuals whose contributions have left a profound and lasting impact on HIV medicine, scientific education, and the mission of the IAS–USA. Dr Friedland discusses his extensive journey in the field of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, reflecting on his early career, the challenges faced during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, and the evolution of treatment strategies. Dr Friedland and Dr Saag emphasize the importance of collaboration, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge in addressing public health crises. Dr Friedland also discusses his research on tuberculosis and the integration of HIV treatment, highlighting important findings that have impacted healthcare practices.

In episode 64 of Going anti-Viral, we look back at the past year and beyond to share highlights from past episodes of the Going anti-Viral Podcast. In this selection of highlights, we share the remarkable outcomes of scientific research, hearing from researchers, clinicians, and survivors. Our guests are a testament to how far we have come in improving outcomes for people with HIV and other infectious diseases. These outcomes are the result of the tremendous work and innovation of not only our guests, but the entire scientific research community and in large part the investment of the American people in scientific research.

Links to full episodes:

• Dr Judith Currier – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Anthony Fauci – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dawn Averitt – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Rebecca Denison – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Izukanji Sikazwe – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Joseph Eron – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Diane Havlir – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Peter Hotez – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Steven Grinspoon – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Ellen Eaton – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Khalil Ghanem – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Carlos del Rio – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Yvonne Maldonado Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Demetre Daskalakis – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Dr Rochelle Walensky – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube
• Mary Fisher – Listen: Apple Podcasts | Watch: YouTube

In episode 63 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Mari Kitahata joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the role of outcomes research on clinical decisions for patient care. Dr Kitahata is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington (UW) in the Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For more than 3 decades, she has directed the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Clinical Research Core. Dr Kitahata’s research focuses on improving long-term outcomes for people with HIV and she has led studies demonstrating key determinants of increased survival in people with HIV, including early initiation of antiretroviral therapy and care managed by physicians with greater HIV experience. Dr Kitahata discusses the significance of outcomes research in clinical settings, particularly in the context of HIV care. She explains the differences between efficacy and effectiveness, the challenges faced in observational studies, and the importance of statistical techniques to address biases. Dr Kitahata and Dr Saag discuss the role of electronic medical records (EMRs) in enhancing data collection and the necessity of data validation through adjudication processes. Additionally, the conversation touches on the importance of patient-reported outcomes and the limitations of EMR data, including issues of misclassification. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Kitahata discuss the distinction between predictive modeling and etiologic modeling in research, underscoring the complexities of clinical care and the future directions for outcomes research.

In episode 62 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Rochelle Walensky joins host Dr Michael Saag on World AIDS Day 2025 to discuss her experience as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current state of public health in the United States. Dr Walensky is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and has published over 300 research articles that have motivated changes to US HIV testing and immigration policy and promoted expanded funding for HIV-related research, treatment, and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Dr Walensky reflects on her experience during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, where she was the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Saag and Dr Walensky then discuss her transition to the Director of the CDC and her management of the agency during the pandemic. Dr Walensky and Dr Saag emphasize the dedication of public health professionals and the need for continued support and understanding of the challenges they face. They discuss the risk of proposed budget cuts to the CDC and the impacts this will have on the agency as well as state and local public health departments. Finally, they discuss the future of public health and their shared optimism for public health over the long-term.

In episode 61 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Yvonne Maldonado joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the evidence for vaccine safety and effectiveness. Dr Maldonado is a Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. She has served on several national and international committees including, until recently, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag provide an overview of how vaccines work and discuss where aluminum adjuvants are used in vaccines and address the validity of “anti-vax” claims about the use of aluminum in vaccines. Dr Maldonado emphasizes the crucial role of vaccination, particularly the measles vaccine, as a key indicator of public health and discusses the high infectiousness of measles and its implications for community safety, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals. Dr Maldonado advocates for a social contract where individuals take responsibility for the health of others through vaccination, highlighting the need for well-planned immunization schedules. Dr Saag and Dr Maldonado also discuss current recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine, its safety, and whether pregnant women and infants should receive the vaccine. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Maldonado discuss the work of public health in the future and the importance of communicating the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

In episode 60 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Donald Abrams joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss medical cannabis. Dr Abrams is a professor emeritus at the University of California San Francisco and a specialist in integrative oncology at the Osher Center for Integrative Health. Dr Abrams has studied complementary and alternative therapies, including mind-body treatments, botanical therapies, medical use of cannabis, and herbal therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine. He continues to research the health effects of medical cannabis. Dr Abrams was previously at the forefront of HIV/AIDS research and treatment at San Francisco General Hospital and served as chief of the medical oncology service from 2003 to 2017. Dr Saag and Dr Abrams discuss the history of medical cannabis and the challenges Dr Abrams experienced in researching its use for medical therapy. They discuss the medical benefits of cannabis and the recommendations that clinicians may make, as well as addressing the differences in products available, including THC and CBD. They also discuss research on whether the use of cannabis in young adults is related to schizophrenia. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Abrams discuss the future of medical cannabis and whether physicians should continue to provide a role in its use, whether the scheduling of cannabis as a controlled substance will change, and the type of research that is needed to continue to explore where its use is beneficial.

In episode 59 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Demetre Daskalakis joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss his career in public health and the turnover in leadership at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr Daskalakis is an infectious diseases physician who served in leadership roles at the CDC from 2020 to 2025. He was director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and was previously director of the Division of HIV Prevention at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. In 2022, he was appointed deputy coordinator of the White House response to the mpox outbreak. Dr Daskalakis discusses his career in public health and leadership roles in infectious diseases. Dr Saag and Dr Daskalakis have a detailed discussion about applying lessons learned from the HIV epidemic in the national response to the mpox outbreak and they discuss Dr Daskalakis’s role at the CDC in response to the current measles outbreak. They also address ideologic-driven changes at the CDC under the direction of Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services including the firing of Dr Susan Monarez and Dr Daskalakis’ subsequent resignation. Finally, they discuss the current direction of the CDC and the outlook for public health without scientific leadership. They also discuss the possibility of a renaissance for public health in the future where it can be reimagined to focus on people instead of historic funding paradigms.

In episode 58 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Khalil Ghanem joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss current challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. Dr Ghanem is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr Ghanem’s research focuses on reproductive tract infections in particular syphilis and the vaginal microbiome. He was a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the development of the 2010 and 2015 Adult Syphilis Treatment Guidelines. Dr Ghanem discusses the history and current trends of syphilis, including the impact of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) on infection rates. Dr Saag and Dr Ghanem also address screening and testing for syphilis and the current issues faced in diagnosis and treatment including the management of penicillin G benzathine shortages. Finally, Dr Ghanem looks ahead to new research to address syphilis management, emphasizing the need for better diagnostics and treatment options, especially during pregnancy..

In episode 57 of Going anti-Viral, Dawn Averitt joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss HIV advocacy and the importance of scientific research. Ms Averitt is a social justice advocate and founder of organizations focused on women with HIV and AIDS, such as the Well Project and the Women’s Information Service and Exchange. Ms Averitt has served on several scientific and advisory committees, including 2 terms on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and has been responsible for key achievements in guiding FDA labeling decisions and shaping research and policy priorities at the NIH. Ms Averitt discusses being diagnosed with HIV at age 19 in 1988 and her experience with early treatment. She shares how this experience led her to the AIDS Survival Project and the Atlanta Buyers Project where she was an advocate for access to HIV care and treatment. Dr Saag and Ms Averitt discuss the current focus of HIV activism at a time when scientific research is threatened and the importance of today’s HIV advocates to be a voice for research to the public at large.

In episode 56 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Steven Grinspoon joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss managing cardiovascular health in people with HIV. Dr Grinspoon is a clinician in the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center and faculty member at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is a clinical researcher who studies hypothalamic control of body weight and fat distribution in obesity and lipodystrophy with a focus on the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of visceral fat accumulation. Dr Grinspoon provides an overview of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV, including a review of the REPRIEVE study that evaluated if statin medication is effective to prevent heart disease among people with HIV. Dr Saag and Dr Grinspoon detail the REPRIEVE study results demonstrating that statins lower baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and discuss the cardiovascular health benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol levels. They discuss arterial plaque, how it is measured, and whether plaque can regress in individuals on statins. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Grinspoon discuss goals for follow-up studies to REPRIEVE and other studies looking into the benefits of statins in other populations.

In episode 55 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Darcy Wooten joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss navigating HIV care with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Dr Wooten is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University in St. Louis. Her clinical interests are HIV primary care, HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and general infectious diseases. Dr Wooten is also a national leader in medical education. Dr Wooten provides an overview of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including their history of use for the treatment of diabetes and more recent use for the treatment of weight loss. Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the challenges that patients have in getting insurance coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists and review the 2 most common drugs that are used as treatment, tirzepatide and semaglutide. They discuss the patient experience with the injectable medication and review the possibility of oral versions of the medications in the future. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the long-term management of GLP-1 receptor agonists as a part of overall primary care for patients with HIV.

In episode 54 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Ellen Eaton joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the treatment of substance use disorder in an in-patient setting. Dr Eaton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr Eaton provides an update on a recent termination of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant that provided overdose prevention education and treatment. She discusses the impact that a recent executive order on unhoused individuals that may have on access to care. Dr Eaton addresses a recent “bad batch” alert warning of contaminated street drugs leading to serious overdose events, and the most common reasons that people are admitted for inpatient care and review treatment of substance use disorder-related infections. They review acute withdrawal in the hospital, and Dr Eaton shares her ideal response to substance use disorder in a hospital setting. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Eaton look forward to the next 10 years of care for people with substance use disorder.

In episode 53 of Going anti-Viral, Dr George Rutherford joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on emerging infectious diseases. Dr Rutherford is a Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine, Pediatrics and History at the University of California San Francisco and of the Center for Global Strategic Information and Public Health Practice at the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences. Dr Rutherford discusses his experience during the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and shares lessons learned. Dr Saag and Dr Rutherford also discuss the success of Operation Warp Speed in accelerating the development, manufacture, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. They also review new emerging infections like influenza A (H5N1) and arthropod viruses like West Nile, dengue, and chikungunya. Dr Saag and Dr Rutherford review efforts by the federal government to dismantle public health programs and discuss the potential impact of these cuts on future pandemics.

In episode 52 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Carlos del Rio joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the topic of providing care to foreign-born individuals. Dr del Rio is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine. He has held numerous positions at Emory University including as co-Director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) and co-PI of the Emory-CDC HIV Clinical Trials Unit and the Emory Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. He has worked more than a decade with hard-to-reach populations including people with substance use disorders to improve outcomes of those with HIV and to prevent infection with those at risk. Dr del Rio discusses steps his clinic has taken to provide care to hard-to-reach populations including understanding why patients miss appointments. Dr Saag and Dr del Rio also discuss the unique challenges that foreign-born individuals have in accessing care and the impact of current immigration enforcement on people in need of care and on the broader healthcare workforce. Dr del Rio shares his personal family history with immigration to illustrate the diverse nature of foreign-born people in the United States. Dr Saag and Dr del Rio close by emphasizing the need for clinicians to be passionate in providing care and compassion to their foreign-born patients at a time of immigration enforcement actions by federal authorities.

In episode 51 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Peter Hotez joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on the measles outbreak in the US and discuss the role that anti-science plays in threatening public health. Dr Hotez is a Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine. He is the author of more than 700 scientific papers and four books and is an ardent vaccine advocate and “science explainer” who combats anti-science and antisemitism in America, and globally. Dr Hotez and Dr Saag provide an overview of the current measles outbreak in the United States and the high rate of transmission. They discuss efforts to increase rates of vaccination, especially in a climate of misinformation about the safety and efficacy of the measles vaccine. Dr Saag and Dr Hotez discuss the origins of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a discussion of the incentives of health and wellness influencers to spread false information. They also discuss how best to distribute accurate health information about vaccines on social media. They conclude by reviewing the successful history of childhood vaccination programs and the risk of future pandemics in a climate of disinformation about vaccination.

In episode 50 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Yvonne Maldonado joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and the vaccine approval process in the United States. Dr Maldonado is a Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. She has served on several national and international committees including, until recently, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag provide an overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development and provide an update on the availability of RSV vaccine in adults but not in children. They also discuss the risk of severe disease in children and the limited treatments available. Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag also discuss the process for vaccine approvals in the United States. Specifically, they review the role of the ACIP committee in vaccine approvals and provide an update on the recent dismissal of all of the prior members of the committee, which included Dr Maldonado. They discuss the potential impact that this will have on the review of all vaccines and the overall impact on public health.

In episode 49 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Judith Currier joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Next-Gen HIV Prevention and Treatment. Dr Currier is a Professor of Medicine at UCLA and has more than 25 years of experience in the design, implementation, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials to optimize antiretroviral management of HIV and related complications. Dr Currier and Dr Saag provide an overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed and discuss the successful return on investment in biomedical research. They also provide a detailed review of long-acting antiretroviral drugs and discuss the state of current research for new options, including a discussion of lenacapavir. Finally, they share their concerns for what is at stake if attempts to cut the federal research budget are successful and the disruption it will bring to the progress that has been made in HIV care and other viral diseases.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Mary Fisher joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Communicating the Importance of Science and Research to the Public. Ms Fisher is an artist, author, and activist, who has spent a lifetime giving voice to the voiceless. Her historic speech at the 1992 Republican Convention, A Whisper of AIDS, has been named one of “forty famous speeches that have had long-term effect on society.” In this episode, Ms Fisher discusses her history of activism including her work in Africa before and after the arrival of PEPFAR and the concern for the many communities she worked with given the termination of USAID. Ms Fisher also discusses her new book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change where she and Dr Saag stress the importance of speaking out for scientific research given the impact it has on patient care and saving lives.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Rebecca Denison joins host Dr Michael Saag as a follow-up discussion to her Martin Delaney presentation at CROI 2025: 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. Ms Denison is an HIV-positive writer, educator, mother, and founder of WORLD, Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases. Dr Saag and Ms Denison reflect on her history of living with HIV and her 40 + years as an HIV activist. They discuss the impact that recent cuts at USAID and PEPFAR are having international efforts to reduce HIV transmission and the loss in trust in healthcare practitioners since programs have been terminated. They also discuss concerns about cuts to federal funding for HIV care programs in the US and the impact of recent loss of staff expertise at federal agencies. Finally, Dr Saag and Ms Denison ask all care clinicians to share their stories to their communities as a way of becoming advocates for the importance of HIV care.

Watch/Listen to related episodes of Going anti-Viral:

• Special Episode YouTube | Apple Podcasts 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. The Martin Delaney presentation at CROI 2025 by Rebecca Denison
• Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts Innovations in HIV Service Delivery: Building a Path Forward with Those Left Behind with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe
• Voices in HIV Research and Global Health, from the Scientists, the Labs, and the Community YouTube

In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Dr Raymond Schinazi joins host Dr Michael Saag for an in-depth conversation about the development of a cure for hepatitis C. Dr Schinazi, the Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University, shares insights from his distinguished career in antiviral research and development. He begins by outlining his background and long-standing interest in antiviral therapies, including groundbreaking work in HIV treatment. The conversation then shifts to his pivotal role in the development of sofosbuvir, a breakthrough direct-acting antiviral drug in the cure for hepatitis C, and the importance of NS5A inhibitors in antiviral drug regimens. Dr Schinazi also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the business and regulatory journey of bringing a transformative therapy to market, reflecting on the personal impact of this milestone. The episode concludes with a discussion of his current research into potential treatments for hepatitis B.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Graham Hatfull, a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr Hatfull joins Dr Saag to discuss Bacteriophages for the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. Dr Hatfull provides an overview of the types of bacteriophages and how they can be used to treat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Dr Hatfull and Dr Saag discuss the challenges of treating bacterial infections with phages, given the diversity and complexity of the different types of bacteria, and bringing phage treatments to scale. Finally, they discuss what future research is needed to overcome the challenges of phage treatment and look to the future where technology enables synthetically produced phages to provide targeted therapy to antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Resources:

• Episode 10 – Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages With Dr Robert Schooley:
  • YouTube: https://youtu.be/_BUpDRNhMsQ
  • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-10-harnessing-the-power-of-bacteriophages/id1713226144?i=1000647215580
• Exploring Bacteriophage Therapy for Drug-Resistant
• Bacterial Infections Robert T. Schooley, MD: https://www.iasusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/31-1-23.pdf
• The inaugural Conference on Bacteriophages: Biology, Dynamics, and Therapeutics:https://www.iasusa.org/bacteriophage-conference/

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Annemarie M. Wensing, a Clinical Virologist at the University Medical Center Utrecht and an Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Dr Wensing joins Dr Saag to discuss the recently released IAS–USA 2025 Update of the Drug Resistance Mutations in HIV-1. Dr Wensing discusses the influence of Dr Charles Boucher in developing her interest in the topic of HIV drug resistance and Dr Wensing and Dr Saag provide an overview of HIV drug resistance and testing. Dr Wensing also provides advice to clinicians on how to manage patients who experience drug resistance. Dr Wensing and Dr Saag then discuss an upcoming report soon to be published that addresses the potential role and the important limitations of HIV DNA resistance testing. Finally, they address the topic of drug resistance in the absence of resistance mutations and look ahead to what the future holds for the field of HIV resistance.

A current list of mutations associated with clinical resistance to HIV and the accompanying user notes, regularly revised and disseminated by the IAS–USA Drug Resistance Mutations Group, were published in Topics in Antiviral Medicine™ on March 4, 2025. The figures are also available as downloadable PDF and PowerPoint Slides.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe, the Chief Executive Officer for the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ). Dr Sikazwe joins Dr Saag to provide an overview of her symposium presentation at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Innovations in HIV Service Delivery: Building a Path Forward with Those Left Behind. Dr Sikazwe discusses her career journey in treatment of HIV in Zambia and her path to CIDRZ. Dr Sikazwe and Dr Saag discuss the history of HIV and AIDS in Zambia and address the impact that PEPFAR had on the disease when it arrived in the country in 2004. They discuss how PEPFAR has operated in Zambia and provide a current overview of the sudden cancellation of USAID contracts on those receiving HIV care and treatment and other health services. Finally, they look ahead given the current disruptions on how Zambia and other countries can move forward to meet the needs of those in need of care.

This episode of Going anti-Viral, features Rebecca Denison, who gave the Martin Delaney Presentation, entitled 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must, at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Ms. Denison is the founder of Woman Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases or (WORLD).

Resources:

• CROI 2025:https://www.croiconference.org/
• Woman Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases or (WORLD):https://womenhiv.org/
• Link to video of presentation: https://youtu.be/CutIwfkv8oU
• More on the Martin Delaney Presentation: –https://www.croiconference.org/presenters/

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Tonia Poteat, a professor in the Duke University School of Nursing and co-director of the Duke SGM Wellness Program. Dr Poteat joins Dr Saag to provide an overview of a Themed Discussion session that she is leading at CROI 2025 entitled Meeting the Treatment and Prevention Needs of Transgender Women. Dr Poteat and Dr Saag address the 3 most common challenges faced in the care of transgender persons: uninformed clinicians, societal discrimination, and efforts by some state governments and the federal government to limit the rights of transgender persons. They discuss efforts to educate clinicians and summarize the resources that are available to clinicians to help provide care to transgender persons facing stigma and discrimination. They also discuss efforts in the judicial system to take legal action against discriminatory policies of state and federal governments. Dr Poteat also provides an overview of the presentations discussed at the Themed Discussion session that she is leading at CROI 2025 on Monday March 11, 2025. Finally, Dr Poteat and Dr Saag look ahead to the next five years of transgender care and provide advice to all involved in the care of transgender persons during a challenging time.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Joseph Eron, Professor of Medicine at University of North Carolina (UNC) about the topic of his upcoming presentation at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2025: HIV Cure Research: State of the Art and Navigating Presentations at CROI 2025. Dr Eron discusses the state of HIV cure research including a detailed discussion of why it has been so difficult to develop a cure for HIV. Dr Saag and Dr Eron discuss the difference between HIV cure and functional cure and provide a detailed overview of cure research efforts looking at blocking and locking HIV in human DNA. Dr Saag and Dr Eron also discuss the potential for “molecular scissors” (CRISPR-Cas9) to cure HIV. Finally, they provide an overview of cure research that will be presented at CROI, highlighting the plenary presentation by Dr Ole Søgaard at CROI on Monday March 10 entitled HIV Cure: A Translational Research Perspective. For more information about the topic of this episode, listen to an earlier episode of Going anti-Viral where Dr Saag discusses Vaccine Development with Dr Richard Koup, see links in the resources below.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Diane Havlir, Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Havlir currently serves as Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) and joins Dr Saag to provide a preview of CROI 2025. Dr Havlir provides an overview and history of CROI along with a summary of how the program is developed. Dr Saag and Dr Havlir review why CROI is unique among scientific meetings: leading scientific advances, poster sessions, and the focus on supporting new investigators. They also discuss expected hot topics from CROI such as: HIV treatment and cure, STI prevention, weight management, aging and HIV, as well as pediatric and adolescent care. Dr Saag and Dr Havlir provide an overview of resources that will be available to those who will not attend CROI in person. Finally, they discuss the value of CROI during a challenging time for all involved in the field of HIV research, care, and treatment.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Andy Pavia of the University of Utah for an update on COVID-19. Dr Pavia and Dr Saag review COVID-19 cases and deaths in 2024 including a discussion about the reasons why deaths have declined compared with earlier years in the pandemic. They also review Long COVID and challenges clinicians face with treatment. Dr Pavia provides a detailed review of COVID-19 vaccines and effectiveness including recommendations on who should be vaccinated. Dr Saag and Dr Pavia review COVID-19 testing, including home testing and antiviral (including monoclonal antibody) treatments. They also discuss how best to provide early treatment to persons at high risk of developing severe disease. Finally, they provide predictions for the future including possible improvements in next generation of COVID-19 vaccines.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Melanie Thompson who is a clinical researcher and provider of HIV clinical care in Atlanta, Georgia. As Principal Investigator and Executive Director of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA), she has led over 400 studies of HIV treatment and prevention and is recognized as an expert in the treatment of patients with HIV. In the episode, Dr Thompson and Dr Saag discuss the recently released 2024 update of primary care guidance for providers who care for persons with HIV by the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (see links in resources below). They address topics such as telemedicine, outreach to underserved populations, and how to create a welcoming clinic to improve retention in care. They discuss how HIV providers have been leaders in primary care in areas like hepatitis and address how to bring future generations of providers into HIV medicine. Finally, they address the importance of providers being advocates to their elected representatives about HIV medicine and that providing care to individuals, no matter who they are and where they come from, improves overall public health.

This episode of Going anti-Viral features an IAS–USA Dialogue titled “Latest Update on Urgent Viral Outbreaks,” a panel discussion held on January 15, 2025. This IAS-USA Dialogue is a must listen as our distinguished panel of infectious diseases experts dives deep into some of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today. Moderated by Carlos del Rio, MD, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, this Dialogue brings together world-class experts Yvonne Maldonado, MD, Peter Chin-Hong, MD, and Jason Zucker, MD, to discuss the latest news on urgent and emerging viral outbreaks, including mpox, avian flu (H5N1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles, human metapneumovirus, and COVID-19/long COVID.

The panel also reflects on the alarming erosion of public trust in public health experts, which has been compounded by misinformation and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Laura Cheever who was, until recently, the Associate Administrator of the HIV/AIDS Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). She joined HRSA in 1999 when she served as the national director of the Ryan White AIDS Education and Training Center program. Dr Cheever is Board Certified in Infectious Diseases and continues to provide clinical care for patients with HIV. Dr Cheever describes her early work at HRSA and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Dr Cheever and Dr Saag then discuss quality measures adopted to demonstrate program effectiveness and the impact these efforts had on funding. They also discuss the staff in the program and their role in working with local providers. They address the role that private insurance, the Affordable Care Act, and different presidential administrations play in the services of the program as well as work left to be done and look ahead to the next ten years of HIV care.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Kevin Carmichael of the Arizona Department of Health Services about the unique challenges caregivers faced in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Dr Carmichael is a family physician who began work in HIV in 1983 while in medical school in Miami, Florida. During his residency at the University of Miami, Dr Carmichael co-authored one of the first written guidance for clinical HIV care “HIV/AIDS: A Primary Care Handbook.” Dr Saag and Dr Carmichael discuss their shared history in caring for people during the early years of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. They also discuss the challenges in managing families of people with AIDS. Dr Carmichael then reflects upon the transition in the care of HIV in 1995 when protease inhibitors became available, effectively the start of turning HIV into a manageable chronic disease. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Carmichael provide thoughts for younger practitioners currently involved in HIV management.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr David Freedman of the University of Alabama at Birmingham to provide an overview of travel medicine: vaccines, outbreaks, and more. Dr Freedman is a professor of infectious diseases and his research is focused on clinical tropical medicine, including the development of surveillance networks to characterize infectious disease morbidity in travelers and migrants. Dr Saag and Dr Freedman provide an overview of worldwide outbreaks such as: mpox, H5N1, Marburg virus, Ebola, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Dr Freedman discusses the treatments and vaccines available for each of these outbreaks. They also address the clinical challenges of treating individuals with emerging infections of unknown origin. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Freedman address the acute setting of treating rabies exposures from bats and other wild animals.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Rajesh Gandhi of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital about the new IAS-USA recommendations for HIV treatment and prevention. Dr Gandhi is the Chair of the guidelines panel, which published its recommendations in the Journal of the American Medical Association on December 1, 2024. Dr Gandhi and Dr Saag discuss the process by which the updated guidelines were created and provide an update on what’s new in the current edition. They address other important topics like how to treat patients with opportunistic infections, guidance on when to change therapy, and strategies for preventing HIV acquisition. Finally, Dr Gandhi makes recommendations for those using the guidelines, especially those using them for the first time.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Kenneth Sherman of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School about the possibility of a cure for hepatitis B. The World Health Organization estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B globally in 2022. Dr Saag and Dr Sherman discuss the lifecycle of hepatitis B including the role that covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication cycle. Dr Sherman defines functional cure and provides an overview of the most promising cure strategies. They also discuss whether antiretroviral drugs like tenofovir, used in the treatment of HIV, can contribute toward a functional cure of hepatitis B. Dr Sherman discusses other strategies like capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), monoclonal antibodies, and toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Finally, they discuss the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine in prevention and look forward to the future by considering a timeline for a cure based on the status of ongoing clinical trials.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Jason Zucker of Columbia University and the New York City STD Prevention Training Center about mpox and the mpox outbreak. Dr Saag and Dr Zucker discuss the 2 clades of mpox, how it is transmitted, and which clade is associated with the most recent mpox outbreak. They also discuss how to test for mpox and how people with HIV present with mpox based on their HIV viral load. Dr Zucker gives a detailed update on the STOMP (Study of Tecovirimat for Human Mpox Virus) trial that evaluates the efficacy of the antiviral tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX, for the treatment of mpox. They also address the role of vaccination in mpox, its uptake and efficacy. Finally, Dr Zucker offers his perspective on how practitioners and public health officials can address ongoing mpox outbreaks in the US and globally, including a second public health emergency of international concern that was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries in August by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Jennifer Kates of KFF to compare and contrast health care policies from different sides of the aisle. Dr Kates provides an update on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and efforts to repeal the healthcare program in the United States. Dr Saag and Dr Kates also discuss the status of Medicaid expansion in the US and the impact of access to care in states where Medicaid has been expanded. They also discuss the impact of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program on healthcare for people with HIV and the long-term outlook for funding for the program. In addition, there is a detailed overview and outlook of funding for the 340B Drug Pricing Program that allows eligible hospitals and other healthcare organizations to purchase outpatient drugs at a discount from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Kates discuss the erosion of trust in science and public health officials in the US and reasons to be optimistic for the future.

This episode of Going anti-Viral features an IAS–USA Dialogue titled “Latest Update on Urgent Viral Outbreaks,” a panel discussion held on October 4, 2024.  Dr Carlos del Rio from Emory University serves as moderator and welcomes 3 distinguished panelists: Dr Yvonne Maldonado from Stanford University, Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco, and Dr Paul Sax from Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The episode covers various pressing topics, including updates on COVID-19, avian flu, mpox, and other viral diseases. Discussions touch on vaccines, their effectiveness, public health approaches, and current research.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Carolyn Chu and Dr Lealah Pollock from the University of California San Francisco about the National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC). The NCCC offers guidance to health care practitioners on HIV, hepatitis, and substance use. Dr Chu and Dr Pollock discuss the most common questions asked by clinicians to the NCCC warm line such as: infant feeding by people with HIV, antiretroviral treatment (ART) for pregnant people with HIV, and the use of long-acting antiretroviral drugs. They also discuss how they respond to questions about the latest developments in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care, care for people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and health care practitioner exposures. Finally, they share their thoughts about working for the NCCC and the service they offer to US-based clinicians.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Sandra Springer from the Yale School of Medicine about the substance use disorder epidemic. Dr Springer describes the history of the epidemic and the recent crisis of overdose deaths in the United States. She talks about the increase in overdose deaths since 1999 due to prescription opioids. Dr Saag and Dr Springer review how HIV practitioners can manage patients with substance abuse disorder, including a discussion of how to manage patients undergoing withdrawal. Finally, they address harm reduction strategies available to practitioners and new data showing a reduction in overdose deaths, providing long-term hope for the effectiveness of these strategies. But they note that more research, funding, and outreach is needed to meet the risks that opioid and non-opioid substances pose in the future.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Andrew Pavia from the University of Utah about influenza A, specifically the H5N1 strain. Dr Pavia describes the progression of H5N1 and its recent impacts on poultry and other animal populations, including an overview of a recent outbreak among dairy cattle and whether there is a risk to humans exposed on farms and the milk supply at large. They discuss how influenza vaccines are determined each year and the timing of when best to recommend vaccination. They describe treatment options for influenza and their effectiveness against H5N1. Finally, they address public health measures taken during influenza outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic, offering lessons learned for future influenza outbreaks in humans.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Timothy Wilkin from the University of California San Diego about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and anal cancer with options for screening, prevention, and vaccination.

They provide an overview of HPV and the types of HPV that lead to cancer. They discuss screening and prevention for anal cancer at HIV and PrEP clinics. They also discuss the findings of the ANCHOR study that demonstrated that high-resolution anoscopy screening detects and prevents anal cancer caused by HPV. Finally, they review HPV vaccination, its effectiveness, and the challenges with uptake of the vaccine in the population at large.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Paul Volberding from the University of California San Francisco about long COVID and new long COVID disability guidelines. They discuss the symptoms and causes of long COVID and where to find treatment. Dr Volberding discussed his work with the National Academy of Medicine, which recently released a report on long COVID disability guidelines.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco to get an update on important emerging infections. They discuss the current outbreak of COVID-19 and trends in the epidemiology of the disease. They also address emerging measles cases and the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. They also discuss the impact of vaccine disinformation on the risk of measles transmissibility. Finally, they address emerging infections such as avian flu, vaccine developments, and address others like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Raphael Landovitz from the UCLA Medical School about the latest information on HIV prevention via Preexposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP. They discuss the history of PrEP and early efficacy and then move into a discussion of the evolution of PrEP from episodic dosing to longer-acting therapies. The episode also highlights recent research and how that may impact the future of PrEP dosing.

This episode of Going anti-Viral, we are joined by Dr Suman Srinivasa, in discussing the treatment of diabetes and the management of weight gain with novel GLP-1 receptor agonist.

This episode of Going anti-Viral, we re-present a panel discussion as part of the Dialogue series, Latest Update on Urgent Virus Outbreaks, moderated by Dr Paul Volberding, with panelists Drs Yvonne Maldonado, Carlos del Rio, and Peter Chin-Hong, whom are experts in viral diseases, their epidemiology, and treatment.

This episode discusses the evolving landscape of HIV-related metabolic complications and cardiovascular health. Dr Michael Saag and Dr Todd Brown cover insights from CROI 2024, key studies on blood pressure management, the cardiovascular benefits of statins, and the promising role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in treating diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in people with HIV.

This episode of Going anti-Viral with Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Barbara Taylor. They discussed topics covered at CROI 2024, including the 95-95-95 goal, long-acting antiretroviral therapies, mental health challenges in HIV care, and the potential for long-acting treatments in other viral diseases like hepatitis C.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Ravindra Gupta. Dr Gupta is the infectious diseases expert who led the team that treated Adam Castillejo, also known as ‘The London Patient,’ the second person known to have been cured of HIV. The discussion, recorded on March 3, 2024, at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), focused on the intricate process of finding a suitable stem cell donor, the immunologic and virologic considerations around the transplant process, and the collaborative medical team effort involved.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, host Dr Michael Saag interviews Adam Castillejo, known as the London patient, who is the second person to have been cured of HIV infection. The discussion, recorded on March 3, 2024, at The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), touches on Adam’s initial HIV diagnosis in London during the early 2000s, the societal stigma and personal impact of the diagnosis, and his dual battle with HIV and cancer. Adam shares the complex journey of his treatment, including the failure of initial interventions and the ultimate success of a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a CCR5 delta 32 mutation, leading to his cure of HIV and cancer. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of bone marrow transplant, the emotional and physical challenges Adam faced during recovery, and the continued stigma he experiences even post-cure. The episode reflects on the broader implications of Adam’s story for HIV research and societal perceptions of the disease.

In this episode, Dr Michael Saag and Dr Adia Rana discuss a breakthrough study on using a long-acting injectable HIV treatment with conditional economic incentives for individuals who were unable to take oral therapy. Presented at CROI 2024, the study’s positive outcomes offer an effective option for certain individuals with no other options for continuing oral antiretroviral therapy

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag and Dr Jean-Michel Molina discuss recent developments in STI prevention, focusing on doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and the evaluation of a meningococcal vaccine for gonorrhea prevention in the ANRS Doxyvac trial. Recorded at CROI 2024, Dr Molina shares insights from clinical trials, including challenges with data analysis and implications for future STI prevention and vaccine research.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag and Dr Jean-Michel Molina discuss recent developments in STI prevention, focusing on doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and the evaluation of a meningococcal vaccine for gonorrhea prevention in the ANRS Doxyvac trial. Recorded at CROI 2024, Dr Molina shares insights from clinical trials, including challenges with data analysis and implications for future STI prevention and vaccine research.

Episode 11 – Innovations in Vaccine Research: Single Cell Immunity Development With Dr Fabian Otte Recorded Live from CROI 2024.

Episode 10 – Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages With Dr Robert Schooley.

Episode 9 – Understanding The Implementation of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections with Dr Annie Luetkemeyer.

Episode 8 – A Historical Overview of The HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Prevention and Intervention Methods, and Future Strategies with Dr Susan Buchbinder.

Episode 7 – A Conversation With Dr Katelyn K. Jetelina About Her Journey in The Field of Epidemiology, The Initial Handling of The COVID-19 Pandemic, The Spreading of Misinformation, And The Urgent Need to Rebuild Public Trust in Health Infrastructure.

Episode 6 – Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Anthony Fauci on this episode of the Going anti-Viral podcast, discussing Dr Fauci’s career journey, his involvement in AIDS research, and his contribution towards managing other viral diseases.

Episode 5 – An In-depth discussion on syphilis with Dr Meredith Clement, Associate Professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. This special episode was recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, on December 4, 2023.

Episode 4 – A Deep Dive into Vaccine Development with Dr Richard Koup, Deputy Director Chief, Immunology Laboratory Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH. This special episode was recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, December 2, 2023.

Episode 3 – Latest Update on Emerging and Reemerging Urgent Viral Outbreaks, Including COVID-19, MPOX, and Flu. October 2023 In today’s episode of Going anti-Viral, we present a recent dialogue from October 19th, 2023, with special guest Katelyn K. Jetelina, MPH, PhD.

Episode 2 – Latest Update on Urgent Virus Outbreaks, August 2023 Dialogue on Urgent Viral Diseases This episode of Going anti-Viral features an IAS–USA Dialogue titled “Latest Update on Urgent Virus Outbreaks,” which is a panel discussion held on August 1, 2023.

Episode 1 – 40 Years Later: Looking Back at the Beginning of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic In this episode of Going anti-Viral, we revisit a panel discussion titled “40 Years Later: Looking Back at the Beginning of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic,” sponsored by the IAS–USA.