In a breakthrough development for curbing the spread of AIDS, twice-yearly shots have demonstrated a remarkable 100% effectiveness in preventing new infections among women, according to a study released on Wednesday and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
While there is no cure for HIV infection, with better diagnosis, treatment, care and effective prevention, the threat can become more manageable and empower people to live a long and healthier lives.
HIV, a global threat, has claimed an estimated 42.3 million lives to date. As per WHO, an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2023 and an estimated 6,30,000 people died from HIV-related causes.
This pathbreaking research involved around 5,000 young women and girls in South Africa and Uganda. None of them got infected with the virus after receiving the infections. Conversely, in the group of women who received daily prevention pills, around 2% ended up catching HIV from the infected sex partners.
Salim Abdool Karim, the director of an AIDS research center in Durban, South Africa, who was not part of the research praised the research, saying: “To see this level of protection is stunning.”
Already approved for HIV treatment
The shots sold as Sunlenca and made by U.S. drugmaker Gilead, are already approved in the U.S., Canada, and Europe for the treatment of HIV, but thanks to the research, its utility to prevent HIV infections could now be tested.
The efficacy of the shots for infection prevention will be tested on men as well post which the drugmaker would seek permission to use it for prevention purpose.
Why is HIV so fatal
HIV targets the immune system and make them susceptible to certain types of cancer and other deadly infections that people with healthy immune systems can usually battle off. What makes HIV even more lethal is the fact that it can't be cured. As the disease progresses to AIDS, it can lead to multisystem organ failure.
Other ways to prevent HIV
To prevent HIV use condoms consistently, take daily Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) if at high risk, avoid needle sharing, ensure regular HIV testing and early treatment, and practicing safe sex by limiting the number of sexual partners and knowing their HIV status.
