Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS - Groups - Action Tools

Message

From:	Adeyemo Gabriel [ profile ]
Subject:	Female post-coital gel promises to block HIV
Sent:	Mar 3rd, 2011 - 13:40:41

	Source:* Swazi Observer* AUTHOR: James Hall http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=21504 In our country where condom use is unpopular, a post-coital gel may safeguard women against HIV infection. The very word "micro-bicides" can give the reader pause, but the term refers to agents composed of microorganisms (invisible to the eye) that are used to kill unwanted pests, like viruses invading human bodies. HIV is one such virus badly in need of a microbicide to block its spread. A microbicide comes in the form of a gel like Vaseline and one form that has been developed to block HIV is applied to a woman's vaginal area. Researchers testing this vaginal microbicide say it is based on a new type of anti-HIV drug, and in their tests they used monkeys. This is standard procedure -- test first on monkey, which are animals biologically similar in many ways to humans -- and if results are promising, proceed to tests on human beings. The anti-HIV microbicide gel used on monkeys was found to provide the animals with "significant protection" against infection with a virus similar to HIV, according to a study reported at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh. The gel used in the study is the first to contain what is called an "integrase inhibitor," one of the latest additions to the arsenal of drugs for the treatment of HIV, but just one of the many compounds or drug combinations that researchers are hoping will be useful for HIV prevention. Microbicides are substances designed to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV when applied to the body (topically) on the inside of vagina, whereas oral PrEP is an approach involving the use of ARVs drugs by HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. More information on the link above -- Many Thanks Yours' in Prevention Science Adeyemo Damilare Gabriel Moderator: Students' for Microbicides (S4M), Nigeria Regional Focal Point - West Africa Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AID +234-80-6798-7317 \| gabriel (at) gyca.org www.gyca.org \| www.tigweb.org GYCA is a youth-led global network of more than 4,500 young leaders and adult allies working on youth and HIV/AIDS in 150 countries world-wide. GYCA's mission is to empower young leaders with the skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to scale up HIV/AIDS interventions amongst their peers.

		Groups Powered by TakingITGlobal