What new preventive technologies are in development?
To answer the call for greater preventive options, new technologies such as vaccines and microbicides are currently undergoing research and development. Microbicides are chemical compounds that women could apply topically before sex to block HIV transmission. They are being researched in the form of a gel, film, sponge, lubricant or suppository. A preventive AIDS vaccine would elicit an immune response to protect the body from HIV infection. A vaccine would be administered via injection or potentially orally.
Researchers currently are developing new technologies such as microbicides and vaccines to help prevent HIV infection. Microbicides are chemical compounds in the form of gels, films, sponges, lubricants or suppositories that women could use before sex to block HIV transmission. An effective microbicide would kill HIV in semen, block the virus from attaching to a target cell or prevent HIV from multiplying if the virus enters a target cell.
