AIDS breakthrough: Gel helps prevent infection

[cory777]

Source: AP

For the first time, a vaginal gel has proved capable of blocking the AIDS virus: It cut in half a woman's chances of getting HIV from an infected partner in a study in South Africa. Scientists called it a breakthrough in the long quest for a tool to help women whose partners won't use condoms.

The results need to be confirmed in another study, and that level of protection is probably not enough to win approval of the microbicide gel in countries like the United States, researchers say. But they are optimistic it can be improved.

"We are giving hope to women," who account for most new HIV infections, said Michel Sidibe in a statement. He is executive director of the World Health Organization's UNAIDS program. A gel could "help us break the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic," he said.

And Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health said, "It's the first time we've ever seen any microbicide give a positive result" that scientists agree is true evidence of protection.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100719/ap_on_he_me/us_med_anti_aids_gel

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UnCensored News - http://senselessworld-cory.blogspot.com/

[Crowman1979]

1. I'm a little pessimistic about this. Plus, how hard is it to wear a damn condom?!?!

Maybe if the gel were in addition to the condom, sure I'll be all for it. But to use in order to save some whiney man's ego isn't worth your life.

[Robb]

2. It's a tough sell in parts of the developing world, the condom.

I welcome anything like this, especially if it puts some control in the hands of women.

[Book Lover]

6. Trouble is that it's not just the whining some women have to deal with

How hard is it to sack up and wear a condom, indeed. Direct the question to the men who refuse to use one. I'd love to know what you, another man, hear in reply.

[naaman fletcher]

3. People who don't use condoms,

aren't going to use a gel. Unfortunately.

[Posteritatis]

4. More options > Fewer options. (nt)

[Book Lover]

5. It's easier to use the gel on yourself than make a man use a condom (nm)

[naaman fletcher]

8. true...

I will say though, having just gotten back from Africa, the image painted in the west of these poor african women abused by selfish jerk men is only partially true. Yes, women are more subordinate to men here, but the sexual freedom and lack of certain responsibilities appeared to me to be quite mutual.

[nodehopper]

7. that is not true

especially in places where men will not use a condom because of the cultural stigma around it, yet the women may use gel themselves.