New AIDS vaccine, first human trials in China

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 14 Mar 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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49 volunteers will be undergoing the first human trials of a new AIDS vaccine in China. Eight people have taken the vaccine so far. The trial will be in three stages - the present stage will be 14 months long.

According to official figures, there are 840,000 people with HIV in China today. Many say the real figures are probably much higher.

The experimental vaccine has been developed inside China, say officials at the Disease Prevention and Control Centre, China.

So far, there have been over 35 human trials for an AIDS vaccine worldwide.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Acquired - means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).

Immunodeficiency - means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome - refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person's immune system.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.

What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.