2012 has had several amazing medical breakthroughs. Recently, new hope for those at risk at HIV infection became reality. The federal government has approved for the first time a drug that can prevent an HIV infection (Truvada). The FDA stressed that to be most effective, the drug, manufactured by the California company Gilead Sciences, should be used in combination with other prevention methods such as testing, counseling and condom use.
Truvada is a combination of two antiretroviral medications that is now given with a third drug to treat the virus. It can have negative effects on bones and kidneys, and can worsen hepatitis B infections, and won't likely be prescribed widely as a preventive measure. Government data show that about 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV, though the rate of infection has remained stable since 2004. Additionally, the medical community was amazed at recent developements concerning three HIV positive patients. Three HIV patients have had nearly all traces of the virus removed from their bodies after receiving extensive bone marrow transplants, doctors from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard revealed during this week's 2012 International AIDS Conference. Needless to say, July 2012 had some remarkable breakthroughs for HIV. It's implications for women and pregnancy, however, is still being debated.
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