A microbicide critical
Huge strides are being made in HIV prevention, but despite the good news there remains an urgent need for an intervention that addresses the higher infection rates among women and current hopes are pinned on a microbicide.
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A light at the end of the prevention tunnel’¦
On Tuesday morning last week, news was shared with the world from the New England Journal of Medicine which caused the United States President of the United States to say from the White House: 'I am encouraged by this announcement of groundbreaking research on HIV prevention. While more work is needed, these kinds of studies could mark the beginning of a new era in HIV prevention. As this research continues, the importance of using proven HIV prevention methods cannot be overstated.'
Vaccine remains elusive, but some progress
When all is said and done, the ultimate tool needed to control the most devastating infectious disease in the world's history, is an HIV vaccine.
HIV prevention drugs raise more questions than answers
JOHANNESBURG: PlusNews) - Recent studies have shown that antiretroviral [ARV] drugs can reduce the risk of HIV-infection but for researchers and governments - the research raises more questions than answers about its implementation.
Regiment for circumcised men
The Zulu King has invited the almost 18,000 men who have been circumsized in KwaZulu-Natal this year to form a special regiment to fight HIV and women and child abuse.
ARVs gave me my life back
When a tall and scrawny Bongani Masalaza (37) of Khayelitsha was diagnosed with HIV in 1997 there was no antiretroviral (ARV) treatment available and he would battle to survive for 11 long years before he finally accessed the life prolonging drugs.
Call for MSM to be on AIDS agenda
As World AIDS Day approaches, activists and service providers in the non-governmental health sector have warned government that it will never turn the tide of AIDS if high risk groups such as men who have sex with other men are not brought into focus in efforts to prevent HIV spreading further.
Frank Chikane’s whitewash of Mbeki is an a historical disgrace
OPINION: Doctors call them Thabo's children ' the thousands of kids infected with HIV by their mothers at birth who still fill hospital paediatric wards, suffering from a range of debilitating infections.
Snipping for better health outcomes
Provincial Health Departments will accelerate their male circumcision rollout as government commits up to R40-million towards the intervention.
Tracing the multiple concurrent partner debate
JOHANNESBURG:(PlusNews) - As the debate heats up about whether or not multiple concurrent partnerships (MCPs) are major drivers of Africa's HIV epidemics, IRIN/PlusNews takes a look at the evolution of the theory behind MCPs.
Lack of transport hampering treatment success
Lack of affordable and accessible transport is emerging as a major hindrance towards poorer South Africans accessing state health care, especially for those living in rural areas.
20% of ARV patients in SA
Almost two out of every 10 people on antiretrovirals (ARVs) worldwide are being treated in South Africa, but this progress is still well below the estimated need, a United Nations report has revealed.
Fund the fund
Dr Elly Katabira, president of the International AIDS Society has released a letter on the eve of a critical meeting to replenish the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He explains why it is critical to replenish the fund if we want to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Fear that tenofovir gel might replace condoms
Recent preliminary results of the microbicide gel, Tenofovir, which showed that it can protect women from HIV infection by about 39%, have sparked concern that people might be less cautious about the use of condoms. Communities say condoms are already being used sparingly.
AIDS doctors condemn ‘sub-standard’ SAPIT trial
Twenty two eminent HIV/AIDS doctors and activists have condemned a recent clinical trial for delaying the antiretroviral treatment of people with CD4 counts below 200 until they had finished their TB treatment, saying that it compromised their care.