The Molecules of HIV
Note: this site last updated in 2006
prevent HIV passing from one person to another
An article from "The Molecules of HIV" (c) Dan Stowell
www.mcld.co.uk/hiv
www.mcld.co.uk/hiv
In general, the best way by far to prevent HIV passing from person to person is by practising safe sex (or even no sex!), and for users of intravenous drugs to take care to avoid sharing needles etc. Those strategies are beyond this molecular account, though.
Are there other, technological strategies? This is a molecular account, so: are there "molecular ways" to prevent HIV transmission?
Microbicides are one possible strategy - chemicals that can be incorporated into sexual lubricants and contraceptives, to prevent HIV infection by destroying HIV particles. Some types of microbicide include:
- Surfactants - which disrupt the fatty HIV membrane
- Acids - HIV needs an alkaline environment in order to remain viable
An alternative method might be to recruit naturally-occurring microbes to impede HIV.
More information:
Written by
Dan Stowell
(©2002-2006)
