How does an HIV vaccine affect someones seropositive status?
Some HIV vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies against multiple HIV proteins. Since standard HIV tests (e.g., ELISA) detect antibodies in blood directed against certain HIV proteins, a person who is receiving an HIV vaccine could test positive for HIV. The HIV vaccines being tested do not contain HIV and, therefore, cannot cause HIV infection. Other tests are available to determine if an HIV vaccine trial volunteer is actually infected with HIV as a result of his or her own behavior-related to exposure to HIV. • Does research for a preventive HIV vaccine detract from research for a therapeutic vaccine? No. Researchers continue to evaluate therapeutic vaccines to treat people with HIV infection or AIDS. Many of the same vaccines are being tested to determine their preventive and therapeutic effects. What works to prevent HIV infection may not necessarily work to treat people who are already infected with HIV. Nonetheless, findings from preventive HIV vaccine research may provi
