Developed, Vaginal Gel Blocks HIV

Various experiments performed scientists to create a vaginal cream that is able to fend off the HIV virus, ended in failure. Now the experts had been due the middle of testing a drug used to treat HIV as a prevention drug, in ways embedded in vaginal gels and vaginal contraceptive ring shape.

Similar way to freshen breath method of drug-drug or drug allergy, but is applied in the vagina. Drug that was later given the name of microbicides will be mainly marketed in developing countries because it is usually the men are lazy to use a condom.

For two decades, scientists have been struggling to create HIV-prevention drug that is strong enough. Preliminary studies have been tested on women in South Asia in the form of vaginal gel containing the AIDS drug tenofovir, but new results will be known next July.

Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are a revolution in AIDS treatment so that a person with HIV can live longer. These drugs also reduce the risk of virus transmission from pregnant mothers to their babies. Therefore, experts assess if the drug is consumed every day can give the effect of prevention, in both men and women.

Dozens have also done research on vulnerable populations who are infected. Usually the drugs used dalah tenofovir because it has lower side effects than other antiretroviral drugs.

The problem, taking medication every day can result in resistance (drug resistance), especially if someone forgot to take her medicine. This has sparked controversy.

Research on HIV prevention gel actually started in 1994. At first, scientists know that the cells on the surface of the vagina is not the initial target HIV because the virus rapidly into the cell layers.

Studies in monkeys showed a small population of cells "compiler" that produces signs several days before the virus ready to spread. Drugs such as tenofovir inhibits HIV infection despite multiply into the body.

According to Dr Salim Abdool Karim of the Centre for AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, the concentration of tenofovir in the vaginal tissue will be higher when administered with gel rather than pills.

Learn from the success of contraception, are now the experts who develop tenofovir in other methods, which are easily dissolved into the vaginal lining, so you will not see couples. In addition it also made the vaginal ring are coated so that it can survive long tenofovir. Available also for gay men, in the form of tenofovir for the rectum.