New HIV developments, Pacific possibilities

New HIV developments, Pacific possibilities

HIV and AIDS prevention has come along way from terrifying posters aimed to scare people away from AIDS. Now we know the benefits of using condoms, encouraging HIV testing, spreading HIV awareness and promoting safe behaviour. There is also increased access to antiretroviral treatment (ART), the life prolonging medicine used to slow the disease progression, and an estimated 360 HIV positive people have access to this medicine in the Pacific Islands.

New campaigns and new technologies are developing all the time. Scientists are doing everything they can to find a cure, and if not a cure then a remarkable solution to prevent HIV transmission. It is exciting and offers great hope. But then reality steps in. Most new technologies for HIV prevention are very out of reach for the Pacific Islands.

First, most new developments are three to ten years away from being accessible to the public. Second, while medical trials have started in some parts of the world, they will probably never reach the Pacific Islands because of the small populations and low HIV prevalence. Third, when the technologies are available, they will likely be extremely expensive making access limited.

Hope remains. It may be out of reach at moment, but it is not lost. Five years ago, access to ART was seen as a hopeless dream to many in the Pacific Islands, in fact there are many who still do not have access to ART today. But at least now ART is becoming a reachable dream.

These new technologies are not so far out of reach. Even if it takes five or ten years.

Here is what is in the pipeline: 1. Male circumcision Male circumcision is not a new idea, but in August 2006 at the International AIDS Conference there was a whole lot of excitement about this issue. New research suggests that men who are circumcised are up to 50 percent less likely to be infected with HIV. These facts are still being investigated. There are many factors to think about such as access to safe circumcision, cultural barriers, and of course it is NOT FOOL PROOF. The best known method of prevention is still a condom.

2. HSV-2 Suppression What this actually means is ‘the suppression of the herpes virus’. The aim is to provide medicine that will reduce or suppress genital herpes HSV-2 in order to prevent genital ulcers that increase the risk of HIV infection.

3. Microbicides This is the term for a medical cream or gel inserted into a woman’s vagina that would stop pregnancy and HIV infection. The benefits are huge, allowing women to control their own reproductive and sexual health. At present microbicides are not available. They are currently being researched and will take at least three more years to reach public access. At present, five different microbicides have reached Phase 2 or 3 of medical trails meaning that they are being tested on humans.

4. HIV vaccines There are two types of vaccines being looked at: Preventative Vaccines and Therapeutic Vaccines. Preventative Vaccines aim to stop HIV infection whereas Therapeutic Vaccines aim to boost the viral response of people already living with HIV. Like microbicides, vaccines are still being researched. Results from current medical trials and tests are expected in 2010.

In the mean time, condoms and access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) are the best solutions.

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