We are making more progress to stop HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Now, it can actually be prevented! A drug called tenofovir blocks HIV before it can even attack cells.

The only challenge right now is getting the drug to work in the real world. Researchers have found a method of implementing tenofovir and it has been hugely effective in animal trials, using the intravaginal contraceptive ring.

The drug must be present in the vaginal mucosa, but incorporating the drug in a topical gel has been ineffective before. So the team from the Northwester University have developed an intravaginal ring (IVR) that delivers a continuous dose of the protective drug.

The drug dispensing ring was 100% effective in blocking HIV infection in animals trials.

And since contraceptive IVRs are already in wide use, meaning one less challenge for implementation.

The first round of animal testing has been encouraging, but we're still a long way more to go before we completely block and eradicate HIV. Progress, nonetheless! [MedicalXpress]