Going anti-Viral

Going Anti-Viral
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Bimonthly

Introducing Going anti-Viral, the podcast of the IAS–USA, a professional continuing medical education organization focused on HIV and other viral diseases. I’m Dr Michael Saag, professor emeritus of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and volunteer member of the IAS–USA Board of Directors.  Join us as we interview experts in viral medicine 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 various meetings and conferences.  Going anti-Viral is a podcast series for clinicians, produced by the International Antiviral Society–USA. The IAS–USA is a not-for-profit professional organization committed to improving the treatment, care, and quality of life for people with or at risk for HIV or other viral infections and their complications through balanced education and information. This podcast is intended as a clinical source of information for specialists in this field, but we hope anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections and their consequences.

  1. 4d ago

    Special Episode - Latest Update on Emerging Infections and Health Threats

    In episode 87 of Going anti-Viral, we represent a panel discussion from September 3, 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 addresses the following pressing topics:  -- Upcoming respiratory virus season: have we learned any lessons from Australia? -- New FDA-approved vaccines: updated COVID-19 vaccine and the first mRNA flu vaccine for the fall season -- Vaccination controversies: the politicization of the vaccination schedule, the resurgence of measles, and declining vaccine confidence -- Global outbreaks: Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda; cholera outbreaks in Sudan, Chad, and other African nations -- Emerging US health threats: chikungunya, Chagas, leishmaniasis, malaria, Dengue fever, and other diseases that were once considered nonendemic in the US are occurring with increasing frequency 0:00 – Introduction  1:48– Reaction to recent measles deaths and update on status of the outbreak in the US 11:15 – Update on the changes to the vaccination schedule  15:03 – The role of medical groups in making updated vaccine recommendations  26:20 – The mRNA influenza vaccine and research into the use of mRNA vaccines for cancer treatments 30:01 – Update on summer foodborne outbreaks and surveillance 36:17 – Audience questions on COVID-19, influenza, and mpox vaccination 43:41 – Overview of alpha-gal syndrome 48:21 – Impact of climate change and global travel on spread of mosquito and tick-borne diseases 53:28 – Impact of cuts to public health on response to health threats like Ebola  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  2. Sep 8

    Beyond the Diagnosis: Women and HIV in Latin America - Dr Brenda Crabtree-Ramírez

    In episode 86 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Brenda Crabtree-Ramírez joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss women and HIV in Latin America. Dr Crabtree-Ramírez is a Professor of the HIV Program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She has participated in Phase I to IV clinical trials evaluating therapies for HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections and is the Principal Investigator in Mexico for the Caribbean, Central, and South America Network for HIV Epidemiology (CCASAnet). She has contributed to studies focused on sociodemographic factors, HIV-related comorbidities, women with HIV, aging with HIV, and advanced HIV disease. Dr Crabtree-Ramírez discusses the HIV epidemic in Latin America, focusing on women’s unique challenges, access to care, and prevention strategies including PrEP and HPV vaccination.  0:00 – Introduction  1:36 – Challenges in HIV research and healthcare access in Latin America 4:08 – Access to antiretroviral therapy and diagnosis gaps 5:15 – Unique challenges faced by women with HIV and testing during pregnancy  8:11– Research on women and HIV in Latin America 11:50 – CCASAnet and IeDEA network: data collection and insights 13:46 – Barriers to care for women: transportation, stigma, and violence 17:18 – Strategies to improve diagnosis and engagement in care 20:57 – Prevention strategies: PrEP and community programs 24:06 – Role of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention 26:44 – Future directions and women’s leadership in HIV research and call for continued advocacy Resources: CCASAnet: https://www.ccasanet.org/ IeDEA: https://www.iedea.org/  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  3. Aug 25

    How HIV Research Drives Breakthroughs for Other Diseases - Dr Andrea Gramatica

    In episode 85 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Andrea Gramatica joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the work of amfAR and how HIV research drives breakthroughs for other diseases. Dr Gramatica is Vice President of Research at amfAR and an expert in immunology and HIV virology with a research focus on viral persistence and immune modulation. Dr Gramatica is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of amfAR’s research programs, including building upon existing research into HIV and other viral diseases, as well as addressing emerging public health challenges. Dr Gramatica discusses the history and impact of amfAR in HIV research, highlighting how philanthropic funding accelerated scientific breakthroughs. Dr Saag and Dr Gramatica also discuss amfAR’s expanding research interest into cancer immunology and other diseases and discuss the outlook for the future and the use of AI in discovering new therapies. 0:00 – Introduction  1:27 – What is amfAR and its role in the early response to HIV  4:28 – Key early grants and their impact on HIV treatment 8:29 – amfAR’s role in supporting early investigators  11:42 – amfAR’s expanding research interest into cancer immunology and other diseases  16:38 – The next five to ten years in HIV research and the role in advancing research using AI 21:52 – How to apply for grants at amfAR  Resources: amfAR  – https://www.amfar.org/  amfAR on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@amfAR  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  4. Aug 14

    How USAID Was Dismantled—and What the World Lost - Nicholas Enrich

    In episode 84 of Going anti-Viral, Nicholas Enrich joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss his book Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID. Mr Enrich is a former civil servant who worked at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under 4 administrations. He served as the Bureau of Global Health director of policy, programs, and planning until January 2025, when he was designated as the USAID acting assistant administrator for global health. On March 2, 2025, he was placed on administrative leave for addressing the Trump administration dismantling of USAID. Mr Enrich provides an overview of the history and work of USAID prior to 2025 including the success of programs like the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and nutrition and food security programs. He then shares his firsthand account of the dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration including the actions by political appointees and staff from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Mr Enrich and Dr Saag explore the impact of the Administration’s policy on global health, development, and international partnerships and discuss the long-term consequences of the dismantling of USAID. 0:00 – Introduction  1:17 – What was USAID and its global impact before 2025 3:00 – USAID work in global health and food security 5:10 – The inception and impact of PEPFAR 8:07 – US politics and the continuity of USAID during the first Trump Administration 13:29 – The executive order to freeze foreign aid and its implications 15:37 – Legal questions around the executive order and appropriations law 18:24 – Experience with DOGE and the management style of Elon Musk  21:30 – Stories of chaos by the DOGE team and destruction within USAID  26:17 – How the political leadership of USAID was unaware of the work of the agency and implications on current health outbreaks like Ebola  32:10 – The long-term consequences of dismantling USAID and rebuilding trust  40:33 – Nicholas Enrich's current work and future plans Resources: Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Into-the-Wood-Chipper/Nicholas-Enrich/9781668226957 Cast of Hair perform Let The Sunshine In on The Ed Sullivan Show, March 30, 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCXSA_biSw4&t=200s  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  5. Jul 28

    New Guidelines for Statin Use in People with HIV – REPRIEVE Trial Updates - Dr Steven Grinspoon

    In episode 83 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Steven Grinspoon joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on guidelines for statin use in people with HIV based on results from the REPRIEVE trial. Dr Grinspoon is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a clinician in the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center and faculty member at the Massachusetts General Hospital. 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 is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and serves as the chief of the Massachusetts General Metabolism Unit and the director of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard. Dr Grinspoon and Dr Saag discuss the latest findings from the REPRIEVE trial and provide updates on statin guidelines for people with HIV as well as providing insights into cardiovascular risk management. They discuss the safety and efficacy of statins and the role of cardiovascular risk calculators in clinical practice in addition to discussing the impact of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and inflammation on cardiovascular risk. Dr Grinspoon also offers his outlook for where further research is needed based on the outcomes of the REPRIEVE trial. 0:00 – Introduction  1:33 – Overview of the REPRIEVE trial findings 2:44 – Changes in statin guidelines for people with HIV  6:51 – Safety and efficacy of statins 9:09 – Use of statins and diabetes risk 11:16 – Cardiovascular risk calculators 16:00 – Statin use and blood pressure 17:14 – Impact of LDL cholesterol and inflammation on cardiovascular risk 24:08 – Future directions in cardiovascular research for people with HIV   Resources: Going anti-Viral: Episode 56 – Cardiovascular Health in People with HIV – Dr Steven Grinspoon Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-management-of-cardiovascular-health-in-patients/id1713226144?i=1000725697103  YouTube: https://youtu.be/297vweZ5bjQ    REPRIEVE Trial:  https://www.reprievetrial.org/  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  6. Jul 14

    Tracking Ebola — Outbreak Status and the International Response - Dr Tyler Evans

    In episode 82 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Tyler Evans joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and the global response. Dr Evans is an infectious diseases and addiction medicine physician and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, a national organization advancing health equity in the US and globally. He is also an associate professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and the author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics, which examines how socially and politically determined inequalities, have consistently precipitated pandemics and public health emergencies. Dr Evans’ work spans street medicine, HIV/AIDS care, and humanitarian response in complex emergencies, including 2 Ebola response missions. Dr Evans and Dr Saag discuss the current Ebola outbreak, its transmission, challenges in containment, and the likelihood for a vaccine. They also explore the impact of public trust on care and provide an update on the response from US and international agencies including a discussion of the risk for the outbreak to spread globally.   0:00 – Introduction  1:33 – Understanding Ebola: transmission and symptoms 3:05 – Containment strategies for Ebola outbreaks 7:39 – Challenges in surveillance and response 11:09 – Urban spread of Ebola: risks and concerns 12:43 – Vaccination strategies and developments 15:58 – Conditions in treatment centers and the impact of public trust in the outbreak 21:04 – Update on the response from US and international agencies and risk of spread to the US and globally Resources: Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: https://www.tylerevansmd.com/  Wellness Equity Alliance: https://www.wellnessequityalliance.com/  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  7. Jun 30

    Progress in HIV Cure Research: Can a Single Shot Deliver a Functional Cure? - Dr Steven Deeks

    In episode 81 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Steven Deeks joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss recent research demonstrating the promise of a single shot in a functional cure of HIV. Dr Deeks is a Professor of Medicine in Residence at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and is a faculty member in the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. He is an internationally recognized expert on HIV pathogenesis and treatment and is the contact principal investigator of the Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE), an NIH-funded international collaboratory aimed at developing therapeutic interventions to cure HIV infection. Dr Deeks and Dr Saag discuss why a cure for HIV is needed given the effectiveness antiretroviral therapy. Dr Deeks then outlines areas of research demonstrating promise for single-shot functional cures: vector immunotherapy, the use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, and stem cell approaches. Finally, Dr Deeks provides insights into future prospects in HIV cure research including his perspective on the funding and drug development landscape.  0:00 – Introduction  1:21 – The need for a cure beyond antiretroviral therapy 5:37 – Overview of 1-shot cure research   12:40 – The promise of vector immunotherapy 18:52 – Overview of the use of CAR-T cells  25:01 – The role of C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) and stem cell approaches 26:36 – Prospects for the future of HIV cure research  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

  8. Jun 16

    TMVII: Understanding the Emergence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII – Dr Jason Zucker

    In episode 80 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Jason Zucker joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on the Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) infection. Dr Zucker is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University and Assistant Medical Director of the New York City STD Prevention Training Center. Dr Zucker is an experienced HIV, HIV prevention, and sexual health care provider providing status-neutral care to patients of all ages in New York. His research focuses on the intersection of data science, behavioral science, and implementation science. Dr Zucker discusses the emerging dermatophyte infection TMVII, its transmission, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. Dr Zucker and Dr Saag also detail treatment strategies, emphasizing the significance in sexual health and STI management. 0:00 – Introduction  1:21 – Background, epidemiology and transmission  5:58 – Clinical presentation and diagnosis  9:18 – Treatment protocols for TMVII 11:32 – Challenges and considerations in management of TMVII 15:38 – Future outlook and final thoughts  Resources:  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) - Notes from the Field: Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII — New York City, April–July 2024 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7343a5.htm Going anti-Viral: Episode 30 - Update on Mpox - a Public Health Emergency - Dr Jason Zucker YouTube:  https://youtu.be/GTwXSvkcJ74  Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-30-update-on-mpox-a-public-health-emergency/id1713226144?i=1000675771251  __________________________________________________ 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: Apple Podcasts YouTube X Facebook Instagram ...

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About

Introducing Going anti-Viral, the podcast of the IAS–USA, a professional continuing medical education organization focused on HIV and other viral diseases. I’m Dr Michael Saag, professor emeritus of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and volunteer member of the IAS–USA Board of Directors.  Join us as we interview experts in viral medicine 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 various meetings and conferences.  Going anti-Viral is a podcast series for clinicians, produced by the International Antiviral Society–USA. The IAS–USA is a not-for-profit professional organization committed to improving the treatment, care, and quality of life for people with or at risk for HIV or other viral infections and their complications through balanced education and information. This podcast is intended as a clinical source of information for specialists in this field, but we hope anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections and their consequences.

Information

  • Creator
    Going Anti-Viral
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Going anti-Viral
  • Show Website
    Going anti-Viral

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