HIV PEP Can Save Rape Victims In India A 3-day movement was started in Mumbai, India, to spread awareness of the use of HIV PEP as a preventive measure for rape victims from getting infected by the HIV virus. Several medical professionals and institutions took part in this movement. Although it is an established fact that… Continue reading
Tenofovir (Viread®) was invented by Antonín Holý from at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and patented in 1984, making this one of the earliest antiviral drugs. In collaboration with Gilead Sciences and the University of California, it was developed into its current form and was approved for… Continue reading
Emtricitabine was developed as a combined effort between Dr. Dennis C. Liotta, Dr. Raymond F. Schinazi, and Dr. Woo-Baeg Choi at Emory university and was patented by Emory through Triangle Pharmaceuticals under the trade name of Emtriva® in 1996. Triangle Pharmaceuticals has been owned by Gilead Sciences since 2003. Emtriva®™ targets the HIV protein reverse transcriptase. By inhibiting… Continue reading
The HIV PEP designer drug Kaletra® (LPV/r) contains the two HIV viral protease inhibitors lopinavir (LPV) and ritonavir (RTV) [Norvir®]. Developed by Abbott laboratories in 2000, it is referred to as a designer drug as it was specifically formulated based on X-ray crystallography structures to specifically target the HIV protease. Both lopinavir and ritonavir inhibit the… Continue reading
What is PEP? PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and is a combination of drugs (usually lopinavir/ritonavir, emtricitabine and tenofovir) that will prevent replication of the HIV virus long enough for your body to clear it. How does PEP work? HIV PEP uses a three-pronged attack, aiming at elements of the virus essential for replication and… Continue reading
Pressure in Europe for access to PrEP At the 15th European AIDS Conference, speakers voiced concerns from public about the growing need for access to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) to be used informally. PrEP is a treatment that uses anti-HIV medication to prevent people who are HIV-negative from becoming infected in the near future (up to… Continue reading
Most people are familiar with the male condom. Its use is outlined in sex education classes and mentioned extensively in movies, TV, and other popular media. Less well known is the female condom, a barrier method of contraception and STD protection. What is it? The female condom is a pre-lubricated polyethylene sheath that is inserted… Continue reading
HIV PEP has been a revolutionary treatment that has prevented many who have been exposed to the HIV virus from getting infected. Information, news, scientific findings, views and recommendations have always been coming from healthcare institutions and scientific bodies, but seldom do we get the chance to know views and experiences of end-users who are prescribing PEP… Continue reading
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is not an adult-only disease but is also known to infect infants and children. The common causes of HIV infections in children are usually accidental needle stick injuries, premastication and sexual assault. Guidelines for adults recommend a base of tenofovir with lamivudine (3TC)/emtricitabine (FTC) and a third drug which is either… Continue reading
The herpes simplex virus comes in two strains, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1. This STD most commonly causes oral herpes (cold sores) and HSV-2 genital herpes though both can cause infection of the mouth or genitals. The HSV viruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses and members of the Herpesviridae family which also includes Epstein-Barr Virus, the Chickenpox… Continue reading