Ever wonder why researchers haven’t managed to find a vaccine to combat AIDS yet? After 25 years, there hasn’t been much progress in spite of initial optimism in 1984, when the virus was first identified. Scientific American has the details…

Not long after the virus that causes AIDS was identified, Margaret Heckler, then the U.S. secretary of health and human services, told a group of reporters that the discovery would enable scientists to develop a vaccine to prevent AIDS. “We hope to have such a vaccine ready for testing in approximately two years,” she declared proudly. It was 1984.

Government officials have certainly been spectacularly wrong on other occasions but rarely has a large portion of the scientific community been so overly optimistic as well. Twenty-five years after isolating HIV, we still have no effective vaccine. One year ago a major clinical trial of a candidate made by Merck was shut down because it became obvious that the vaccine was not working and might even be doing harm. This past summer another vaccine hopeful was shelved and its trial canceled before it could begin because there was no reason to believe its results would be any better.

After decades of struggle to make a vaccine against HIV, these events plunged the effort into disarray. We in the field have realized that if none of the classical methods of making vaccines works against this virus, then we need a new one—some unusual creative approach that has yet to be imagined or some new insight into the virus itself that might reveal a vulnerability. We have to go back to basics, but that is not to say we have learned nothing of value over the past 25 years. Indeed, every failure has revealed tricks this virus uses, suggesting new ways to go after it. Those lessons are already spawning fresh ideas and bringing scientists together to attack remaining unanswered questions about this unique virus. (read full article…)

The lack of a cure for AIDS also highlights the need for taking preventative measures — protecting yourself from coming in contact with infected bodily fluids — blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk – through sexual activity, sharing needles, etc. 

Best things to do?

• Educate yourself about how to reduce your risk for being infected with HIV and other sexuallytransmited infections. Start here for a variety of credible sources of information. 
• Use barrier protection such as condoms or oral dams properly during every sexual encounter where you come in contact with bodily fluids. You can pick them up for free at WesWELL.  
• Get tested on a regular basis to ensure you are not infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.  Health Services offers testing for Wesleyan students. 
• Talk with your sexual partner(s) about using protection to reduce your risk of infection. Communication is the best form of prevention. 

Tags: AIDS, health news, HIV, sexual health