Foundation Blog
News, commentary, and voices in the efforts to eliminate HIV and AIDS in children worldwide.
In advance of the largest global HIV/AIDS conference of the year next week in Rome, there have already been several breaking news stories and research updates about HIV prevention.
Three of these stories, including preventing HIV transmission through breastfeeding, preventing sexual transmission through the use of antiretroviral drugs, and HIV vaccine research, are what we’re reading this week.
Click past the jump to learn more about these stories and what they mean for the long term in the fight to eliminate HIV and AIDS.
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(Photo: EGPAF/Mia Collis)
Much progress has been made in recent years in the fight against HIV. Earlier this month, a new study was released confirming that using antiretroviral drugs to treat an HIV-infected person is a very effective way to prevent HIV transmission to another person.
However, today, as we commemorate HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, we're reminded that the science of an HIV vaccine is still beyond our grasp. Vitally important for infants and young children, as well as adults, an HIV vaccine would possibly set the stage for a lifetime of immunity to the virus.
Click past the jump to read more from the Foundation's Director of Clinical and Basic Research Dr. Jeffrey T. Safrit, about HIV vaccine studies, and how a vaccine could change the face of HIV.
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(Photo: Olivier Asselin)
There’s more good news on the HIV prevention front, and a former Elizabeth Glaser scientist is connected to these positive developments.
Results from a study released last week advance our knowledge in the field of microbicides, and increase our hope of finding a means for women to protect themselves from HIV.
In a controlled research model using a small number of monkeys, the use of a gel – containing a combination of a novel anti-HIV drug and a chemical compound with antiviral activity – up to 24 hours prior to exposure to the virus was 100% protective against infection.
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While the discovery of therapies to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV may be one of the biggest success stories in the fight against this virus, there is still an urgent need for an HIV vaccine that is safe and effective for infants and children, as well as adults.
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