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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:05 – Dr Rutherford’s experience during the early onset of COVID-19

5:36 – Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

8:30 – The success of Operation Warp Speed

10:14 – Review of new emerging infections: H5N1 influenza A and arthropod viruses like West Nile, dengue, and chikungunya

17:40 – The impact on public health of misinformation on social media and the recent dismantling of public health programs

22:12 – Steps needed to respond to future pandemics and how can public health continue to provide services in the face of budget cuts

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:48 – Defining hard-to-reach populations

5:45 – How clinicians can provide access to care for hard-to-reach populations

9:01 – Unique challenges that foreign-born individuals have in accessing care

15:38 – Impact of current immigration enforcement on individuals in need of care and on the healthcare workforce

19:08 – Diversity of foreign-born individuals in the US and Dr del Rio’s personal family history with immigration

25:57 – The importance of passion and compassion to ensure foreign-born individuals feel welcome in the clinic

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:56 – Measles and risk of transmission

6:24 – Efforts to increase rates of vaccination and discussion of anti-vaccine sentiment

10:40 – Growth of anti-vaccine sentiment during COVID-19 and health and wellness influencers distributing false health information

17:46 – How to best to distribute accurate health information on social media

22:35 – Conflict of interest among anti-vaccine influencers

27:47 – The success of childhood vaccination and the risk of future pandemics given vaccine disinformation

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development

5:08 – Status of RSV vaccine availability in adults and children

8:15 – Discussion of the length of RSV vaccine protection and the differences in RSV respiratory disease between children and adults

10:17 – Risk of severe disease from RSV in children

12:22 – Overview of the vaccine approval process in the United States and how the CDC ACIP committee operates

19:27 – Discussion of the recent dismissal of all members of the ACIP including Dr Maldonado and her concern for the process of vaccine approval moving forward

23:54 – The vetting process for new members of the ACIP and assessment of newly appointed members

27:20 – How the recent personnel changes at the ACIP and other federal agencies impact public health

32:08 – Discussion of the public commitment and support for vaccination moving forward

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:20 – Overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed

2:57 – The return on investment in biomedical research

3:52 – Overview of the need for long-acting antiretroviral drugs and options available

8:23 – Review of the current research and prospects for new long-acting therapies

12:59– Discussion of lenacapavir and the potential benefits for prevention and treatment

14:21 – Summary of other drugs on the horizon that may be potential treatments

18:39 – Overview of the different methods for delivery of drugs

21:11 – Impact of potential budget cuts on HIV research, on people with HIV, and on other viral diseases

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – History of Ms Fisher’s activism

4:11 – Impact of Ms Fisher’s work in Africa and discussion of the quality of life before and after PEPFAR

10:05 – The impact of the elimination of USAID on people with HIV, nutrition, and other diseases

14:36 – Discussion of Ms Fisher’s book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change

20:12 – Why scientific research is important and the impact of cuts to the research budget at NIAID

28:55 – The need to speak out for science, the practice of medicine, and care for those in need of care

Related Resources:

• Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change Amazon
• A Whisper of AIDS YouTube
• Project Angel Food
• Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe
• Voices in HIV Research and Global Health, from the Scientists, the Labs, and the Community YouTube

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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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.

0:00 – Introduction

2:41 – History of Ms Denison’s activism in HIV and AIDS

4:58 – Discussion of the gap in HIV care since the termination of USAID and PEPFAR contracts

8:29 – The loss of trust in global HIV health care practitioners and stories of growing HIV transmission since funding for care has been terminated

14:24 – Risks of funding cuts to domestic HIV care programs and Medicaid

18:02 – How a younger generation of advocates can learn from the history of HIV activism

19:51 – The message sent by the reorganization of HHS and the dismissal of leading HIV experts

22:06 – How clinicians can be an advocates for HIV care

Watch/Listen to related episodes:

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 by Rebecca Denison

Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts Innovations in HIV Service Delivery with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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...

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.

0:00 – Introduction

1:24 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s background and his interest in antiviral therapy

2:56 – Discussion of Dr Schinazi’s work in the development of antiviral agents for HIV

4:45 – Background on the development of sofosbuvir for the cure of hepatitis C

10:01 – The role of NS5A inhibitors in treatment

12:42 – History of bringing hepatitis C treatment to market

14:25 – Discussion of the effectiveness of NS5A inhibitors

16:49 – The risk of reinfection and review of the basic science behind pharmaceuticals for hepatitis C

18:22 – How the discovery of a hepatitis C cure impacted Dr Schinazi personally

25:16 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s current research in Hepatitis B

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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...