Vaginal Gel Decreases HIV Infection Rate in Women

A study published online in Science July 19, 2010 reports that a new vaginal gel has shown some promise in preventing HIV among women who use the gel regularly. Coauthor of the study infectious diseases epidemiologist Quarraisha Abdool Karim of Columbia University reports that the new gel which contains the HIV medication Tenofovir showed 54% fewer infections in women who used the gel at least 80% of the time when compared to women in a placebo group. While other gels have been unsuccessful, this new gel is different possibly because the medicated gel absorbs into the vaginal wall and cells targeted by HIV. Other gels had to be spread around and inside the vagina in large quantities to work. If the gel is approved and proves effective, this could spell good news for women in Africa where they have little to say about condom use. With an effective vaginal gel, women could take control of their own sexual safety for the first time. This is in turn will decrease the number of new infections and ultimately deaths due to HIV and AIDS.

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_Source

_{Dickey, G.; "Gel Shows Promise Against HIV"; Science News; 20 July 2010.}