February 8, 2008

Creative Ways to Curb HIV Infections

Though an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine has not been developed, researchers say that creative uses of HIV drugs may help prevent the spread of the virus, reports the San Francisco Chronicle (sfgate.com, 2/7). The research was presented at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections this week in Boston.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), examined couples in Uganda over the course of three years. Researchers found that in serodiscordant couples, if the HIV-positive partner is treated with antiviral drugs, it can reduce his or her chance of infecting the HIV-negative partner by 90 percent.

“Getting an early diagnosis, and getting treatment to drive down viral load, is going to be good for prevention,” said Dr. Rebecca Bunnell, a researcher for the CDC in Kampala, Uganda.

Other CDC studies presented at the conference and mentioned in the Chronicle story showed that HIV drugs can significantly reduce the risk that an HIV-positive mother will infect her baby through breast feeding.

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chris shelton, orlando, 2008-02-12 23:54:09
Is there somewhere that couples could volunteer to be in the exact same studies? I happen to be in the same situation. Poz 17 yrs with a neg partner. Want to help if we can by donating information.