Purported Swiss Research Upsets AIDS Prevention Groups

A group of Swiss researchers may be sending some pretty mixed messages when it comes to AIDS prevention.  It seems that this group of researchers has concluded that patients that are using retroviral drugs may not need to worry about using a condom in the future because they cannot pass on the AIDS virus to their partners.

As you may imagine, this has many AIDS prevention groups quite upset.  Therefore, in response to this new research, the World Health Organization an UNAIDS have both come out to speak against the research, stating that they “strongly recommend a comprehensive package of HIV prevention approaches, including correct and consistent use of condoms.”

We are definitely on board with UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.  When it comes to AIDS prevention, you certainly don’t want to take unnecessary risks.  Nonetheless, we feel it is equally important to educate our readers about the latest research. 

According to the report, which was published by Switzerland’s Federal AIDS Commission, couples do not need to worry about wearing condoms if just one partner is HIV positive and is utilizing retroviral therapy.  In order to be considered safe, the affected partner needs to be consistently following the therapy and must demonstrate that the virus has been successfully suppressed in the blood for a minimum of six months.

Aside from the fact that this research is a smack in the face against current AIDS prevention campaigns, there are also some flaws in the research.  First of all, the research focused solely on heterosexual couples and did not consider forms of sex other than vaginal intercourse.

“The real thing missing is about anal sex and getting a new sexually transmitted infection,” says Roger Peabody from the Terrence Higgins Trust AIDS charity in London.  “We don’t feel the scientific evidence is conclusive and there are some key issues that are not covered in this advice.”

Here at CondomMan, we are concerned about any AIDS prevention advice that contradicts the majority of the research.  While it may turn out that it truly is safe for someone infected with HIV to have sex without protection, AIDS prevention is far too serious of a topic to be taken lightly.  As such, any new advice should be thoroughly researched before it is published in a major journal or publication.

In addition to using condoms for AIDS prevention, there are other steps you can take in order to prevent becoming infected.  First, remaining in a monogamous relationship can severely reduce your chances of getting infected.  If this is not possible for you, try to keep your sexual partners to a minimum. 

Another key to AIDS prevention is to get yourself tested on a regular basis.  This is a particularly important part of AIDS prevention if you lead a very sexual life and engage in sexual activity with many different partners.  After all, the primary method of AIDS prevention is to keep the disease from spreading.  Of course, with the help of condoms, you will also severely reduce the risk of getting AIDS or passing it on to others.