Progress in HIV vaccine
Is there an HIV vaccine?
@healthbiztips by Arlene GentallanCreating HIV vaccine is a challenging task. While attempts are underway, currently, there is no approved vaccine to prevent HIV / AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus has several characteristics which makes the creation of HIV vaccine difficult:
- HIV is encased in a protein coat that can evade antibodies.
- A person can be infected with several strains of HIV.
- HIV can hide in reservoirs throughout the body.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) destroys the body's immune system, which particularly targets and destroys CD4 cells.
When the body's immune system is no longer effective, the last stage of HIV infection, called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) emerges, in which the body develops opportunistic disease like tuberculosis.
The creation of HIV vaccine doesn't stop
At the time of writing this blog post, there is an ongoing clinical trial for a potential vaccine for HIV prevention.
HIV statistics
According to the World Health Organization, 36.9 million people are infected with HIV across the globe in 2017. That's a staggering large number of people.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
At the most, what we have is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) for HIV is a pill taken by people who, with the nature of their lifestyle or work, have a high risk of contracting HIV infection. PrEP's medication of choice is called Truvala (a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine). When the medication is taken daily, it offers 70% to 90% protection against HIV.
On the other hand, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an antiretroviral therapy by people who were accidentally exposed to HIV virus like in cases of needle stick injury of healthcare workers. PEP should be taken within 72 hours from exposure in order to be effective. Treatment usually lasts for 28 days.
Why do we continue to create an HIV vaccine?
Throughout history, the use of vaccine is the cheapest and most effective way to prevent an infection. Diseases like chickenpox and measles, which can be prevented with a simple vaccine nowadays, were terrifying killers back in the olden days.
Antiretroviral therapy
Currently, while a safe and approved HIV vaccine is not yet available, there is an antiretroviral therapy that HIV infected individuals can take to keep HIV at bay and prevent the disease from progressing into AIDS.
However, HIV antiretroviral therapy does come with risks like kidney toxicity.
