Gay/Lesbian Health

... opening your mind to improve for tomorrow

How is HIV/AIDS affecting Same Sex Relationships?

The HIV/AIDS crisis is not over. In the United States, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) account for the largest number of people diagnosed with AIDS each year — nearly 40% of all AIDS cases. More than 250,000 MSM have died with AIDS. Recent data indicates an increase in sexual risk taking among MSM. Social and economic factors, such as racism, homophobia, poverty and lack of access to health care, are barriers to receiving HIV prevention services, particularly for MSM of color, and can contribute to the high number of AIDS-related deaths.

Why do we need a preventive HIV vaccine?

1. There is NO cure for AIDS. While the availability of anti-retroviral therapy has had a dramatic impact by decreasing AIDS-related deaths in this country, these treatment regimens are complex, costly and can cause serious side effects. In addition, patients can develop drug resistance.
2. Like smallpox and polio vaccines, a preventive HIV vaccine could help save millions of lives.
3. Developing safe, effective and affordable vaccines that can prevent HIV infection in uninfected people is the best hope for controlling and/or ending the AIDS epidemic.
4. The long-term goal is to develop a vaccine that is 100% effective and protects everyone from getting infected with HIV. However, even if a vaccine only protects some people, it could still have a major impact on the rates of transmission and help in controlling the epidemic. A partially effective vaccine could decrease the number of people who get infected with HIV, further reducing the number of people who can pass the virus on to others.
5. An HIV vaccine may also be beneficial for HIV-infected individuals by helping to delay the onset of AIDS or slowing disease progression. These types of vaccines are referred to as "therapeutic" vaccines. It is not known if a preventive HIV vaccine will have a therapeutic benefi t in HIV-infected individuals. This would require additional clinical trials in those populations.

What is happening in preventive HIV vaccine research?

1. More vaccines are being tested than ever before.
2. Since 1987, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has enrolled over 20,000 volunteers in 94 HIV vaccine clinical trials that have tested more than 56 different vaccine candidates.
3. Despite these efforts, there is currently NO preventive HIV vaccine available.
4. Scientists believe that an effective preventive HIV vaccine is possible and are working to speed up the research process.

How can I be sure the research is being done right?

1. Safeguards and protections are built into HIV vaccine clinical trials to ensure that they meet the highest FDA standards to protect volunteers and assure the development of safe and effective vaccines.
2. Clinical trials are monitored throughout the study to guarantee the safety of the participants and ensure that the trial can meet its objectives.
3. Anyone who is interested can learn more about the NIAID clinical research process and get involved through participation in a Community Advisory Board (CAB). CABs are located in areas where NIAID-sponsored HIV vaccine trials are occurring. Through a CAB, members can provide input into study designs and local procedures and can help to prepare and educate the community about vaccine clinical trials. Participation in a CAB helps to ensure that a trial meets the needs of the community.

How safe are the vaccines being tested in people?

1. Preventive vaccines cannot cause HIV infection because they are made of man-made materials and do not contain the HIV virus.
2. Few side effects have been associated with experimental HIV vaccines. The most common side effects are soreness at the site of injection, a low-grade fever and body aches. These responses normally disappear quickly on their own and are similar to those seen with licensed vaccines.
3. Protecting the health and privacy of the volunteers is a high priority of HIV vaccine clinical trials. Prior to entering a trial, volunteers are fully informed of the processes, the vaccines being tested and possible outcomes. Volunteers who wish to participate are then required to sign an "informed consent" form to officially agree to take part in the trial. Once enrolled, a volunteer may leave the trial at any time.
4. Throughout a vaccine clinical trial, volunteers are continually counseled on how to reduce behaviors that may put them at risk for HIV infection.