Two studies show that drugs used to treat AIDS can be used to prevent HIV infection, too

[THIS IS HUGE!]

via Washington Post, by David Brown

Two new studies done in three African countries have shown for the first time that AIDS drugs taken daily can cut by more than half a person’s chance of becoming infected with HIV through heterosexual intercourse.

The results, announced early Wednesday, provide more evidence that the drugs responsible for saving the lives of millions of HIV-infected people over the last 15 years may also be the most useful tool for preventing new infections.

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[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Good sex, good marriage, less HIV

via The New Vision Online, by Catherine Watson


A campaign on good marriage could explain that sometimes a man may have less sex than he would like but that this trade off is worth it to maintain family harmony and avoid acquiring or transmitting HIV. Many men think falsely that going without sex will harm their bodies, that semen will accumulate. Neither is true. But the campaign would need to assuage men's fears.


Finally, a campaign on good marriage could explain that sex changes over a lifetime. Often we get problems because reality does not meet our expectations. Women may have less interest in sex in late pregnancy after birth and menopause. Men who are reassured of this may be less likely to take a "side dish". Both men and women need a better understanding of how their body works. Sex when we are older is not like sex when we are just married. And let us not over sexualize men: they can want less sex sometimes too.

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Gay and lesbian parents: Teaching kids it’s OK to be different

via dallasvoice.com: Instant Tea, by Tammye Nash & Elizabeth Farr

As the child of a gay parent, I have decided to come out of the closet. I have finally “grown up” enough to realize that letting others know my dad is gay is a relief. I have never been ashamed of my father’s homosexuality but I have never openly acknowledged it either.

I was never brave enough to stand up and say, “Yeah my dad is gay. So what?” But I am now.        

                                                                              

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HSV-2 suppression to reduce HIV transmission among partners

via IRMA member Rober Reinhard:

An interesting paper was published today about HSV-2 suppression to reduce HIV transmission among partners, describing the largest cohort of serodiscordant couples ever organized. It also contains an important explanation of the differences between reducing "transmission" and reducing "acquisition" that affect understanding of the "ACE" prevention study results. An amazing effort which also looked at anal sex practices. The cohort however recruited only heterosexual couples, no doubt because of important design, biology andlogistic reasons but that points to more efforts that could be made to recruit MSM partner cohorts. Some attempts of course have already been made but if you look down the line to what could be learned from this cohort it has ancillary studies potential that could be helpful for microbicides.

"Characteristics of HIV-1 Discordant Couples Enrolled in a Trial of HSV-2 Suppression to Reduce HIV-1 Transmission: The Partners Study"

Click here to read the full paper on PloS Hub for Clinical Trials.

The Partners HSV-2/HIV-1 Transmission Study (Partners Study) is a phase III, placebo-controlled trial of daily acyclovir for genital herpes (HSV-2) suppression among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected persons to reduce HIV-1 transmission to their HIV-1 susceptible partners, which requires recruitment of HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples. We describe the baseline characteristics of this cohort.