Viread Shows Potential As HIV Preventive

Early testing of HIV therapy drug Viread as a preventive for HIV has shown promising results in a study funded by Bill and Melinda Gates. Single daily doses of Viread and a placebo were given to almost 1000 African women in the study. Only 2 of the women taking Viread contracted HIV, versus 6 of the women taking the placebo. Interestingly, taking part in the study seemed to cause the participants to practice safer sex and have fewer partners, as scientists expected those on the placebo to contract HIV at a much higher rate. Other larger studies are planned, including one involving 1400 gay men in Peru. The cynic in me wonders if this news may spur more U.S. gay men to acquire Viread from their HIV+ friends or through the internet and begin their own private study, a phenomenon we are already starting to see.