The HIV pandemic has slowed down significantly over the past few decades, mainly because of medical advances. Some of these new developments have contributed to highly effective prevention, even among high risk individuals. Here are the biggest HIV prevention breakthroughs that could potentially end the pandemic.
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How Is the Global HIV Response Addressing the Needs of Children?
The world made plans to end the transmission of HIV from mother to baby by 2020. And while the rate of infection among children has been going down, there are still millions of children living with HIV across the world. Several factors stand in the way of the successful eradication of the problem and a more effective HIV response.
Continue readingHIV Immunotherapy Development Project Starts in Early 2021
Two biotech companies have announced their plans to develop vaccine-like HIV immunotherapy. The aim of the new product would be to teach the immune system to target the virus and get rid of it. Gilead Sciences, one of the companies in the partnership, already has extensive experience in the field of HIV medication development.
Continue readingWho Is Acing HIV PrEP Distribution: Africa Is!
HIV PrEP is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against the virus, reducing the risk of infection by as much as 99 per cent. Until recently, however, PrEP was mainly available in Western countries. New programs and government efforts have increased the availability of PrEP in Africa. Sub-Saharan countries now account for more than 50 per cent of the world’s PrEP users.
Continue readingWhat It’s Really Like to Live with HIV (Going Beyond the Myths)
While HIV has been around for over four decades already, there’s still a ton of misunderstanding about the condition. Myths and misconceptions about living with HIV have persisted through the years. It’s now time to talk what it’s really like to live with HIV and how the condition can be managed.
Continue readingCould HIV Really Disappear by 2030?
Will UNAIDS projections for ending the HIV and AIDS pandemic by 2030 come true or will these be hindered by the coronavirus pandemic?
Continue readingHIV Self-Testing
Through the years, HIV self-testing kits have become more readily available and popular. These are especially useful for high-risk individuals interested in maintaining their privacy. While convenient, however, HIV self-testing kits pose specific challenges that have to be addressed as soon as possible.
Continue readingDid the Covid-19 Pandemic Cause STD Testing Shortages?
The tools and the methodologies used for STI and for coronavirus testing are similar. As a result, sexual health clinics in many parts of the world have experienced a reduction in the availability of testing resources. This disruption has contributed to major issues pertaining to timely STI diagnoses.
Continue readingA New Cure for STD Trichomoniasis Is on the Way
Trichomoniasis is the most common STI not caused by a virus. While a treatment for the condition is already in existence, medical authorities are always looking for new cures. A new clinical trial suggests that a common antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis is also effective for overcoming trichomoniasis.
Continue readingAnother Step Closer to Getting Rid of Herpes
A modification of the herpes simplex virus has enabled researchers to test a highly effective HSV vaccine on animals. In the study, the vaccine proved to be equally effective for the prevention of both oral and genital herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2).
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