The developments in vaccination
An effective HIV vaccine can save millions of lives. However, even if there is advancement in this field, there is no discovery of an effective vaccine for this condition. Over the years, the virology department has found several experimental vaccines. These vaccines helped to prevent nearly 35 new HIV cases. Apparently, due to high risk and dangerous after effects, the experiment was terminated.
In recent years, a national intuition initiated a clinical trial that was testing vaccine injections. However, this trial proved to be unsuccessful after its inefficiency to prevent the HIV transmission or reduction of HIV in blood. Every year there are discoveries in the process of finding a cure for HIV. These discoveries carried out throughout the world gives hope for more advancement in the future. Now, let us see the promising treatments developed for HIV.
- The stem cell transplant treatment from an unaffected donor.
- Using a set of immune system cells to fight against or remove reactivated HIV cells.
- The treatment of engineering immune system cells to reactivate latent HIV.
These clinical discoveries and treatments prove as a foundation to find HIV vaccine. Moreover, there are worldwide trials and experiments carried over by the clinics and research facilities.
The basic preventive measures
Even though there is no operative vaccine for HIV, the prevention and transmission measures are highly beneficial. HIV is transmitted through exchanging human body fluids. Through personal safety measures, an affected person can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV. Moreover, proper diagnosis also helps to prevent HIV and AIDS transmission. According to a well-known survey, a certain division of HIV affected individuals around the world is not aware of their HIV status. Also, the HIV self-tests are offered by clinics to privately test HIV in blood and saliva of the infected person. These tests make the patients aware of their HIV state so that they can avail proper treatment for their condition.
The procedure for HIV treatment
The advancing science world suggests that HIV is a controllable chronic disease. Antiretroviral therapy helps the patients to lead a healthy and normal lifestyle. It also works efficiently in reducing the risk of transmission of the virus. More than 59 per cent of HIV infected individuals receive some treatment, and one of well-known treatments is antiretroviral. The medications used to control HIV works in the following manner.
- Reduces the viral load
The mechanism of antiretroviral medicine is to reduce the amount of HIV RNA at an insignificant level.
- Increases the CD4 level
CD4 is a cell in the human body that fights against HIV, causing pathogens. HIV medicine helps the body to restore the CD4 cell to fight the pathogens better.
The achievements in the process of finding the HIV cure
Worldwide researchers are working tirelessly to find new drug and treatments to cure HIV. Further, they believe that finding an effective vaccine can improve the quality of life of infected individuals. Here is a brief of important aspects in the field of HIV cure process.
- The monthly injection
In this year, the monthly HIV injections are planned to be offered for HIV patients. This treatment proves to be effective for suppressing the effects of HIV when taking it with a daily oral regime.
- Targeting the reservoir
The immune system of an infected individual cannot differentiate between a normal and HIV cell; thus, it keeps on multiplying the HIV cells. The antiretroviral therapy helps to control the replication of the HIV cell or eliminates the replicating HIV cell. This method of treatment is known as the functional and sterilizing cure.
- The functional cure
The stem cell transplant treated many patients who had HIV and cancer. After the treatment, the person was HIV free. However, this kind of treatment can be performed for every HIV infected person. These types of patients are declared as functionally cured.
Where is the treatment process now?
Previously, researchers did not have a proper understanding of HIV. Fortunately, today the advancement in medicine and technology gives new hope for the future. Researchers are now able to control the progression and transmission of HIV. Soon it is believed that there will be a cure for HIV.
