aidsmap: PrEP can further reduce the risk of HIV infection after a partner starts treatment
“Offering Truvada pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the HIV-negative partner in a serodiscordant couple during the first six months after the HIV-positive partner starts antiretroviral therapy (ART) can serve as a ‘bridge’ to provide further protection against HIV infection, researchers reported [Wednesday] at the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa…” (Highleyman, 7/21).

Fortune: The Incredible New Advances in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
“HIV/AIDS therapies have come a long way since 1987, when the first-ever drug, azidothymidine (AZT), was approved to fight the virus in the U.S. An explosion of advances in the field have changed the shape of treatment, enabling HIV-infected patients to live for years without symptoms with simple single-tablet treatment regimens. Now, scientists have hopes for a functional cure — a cure that doesn’t wipe out every possible trace of HIV but keeps it at bay — and a potential vaccine. Here are some of the most promising advances in the field…” (Mukherjee, 7/21).

Reuters Health: Taking anti-HIV pill as needed prevents infection
“…In the ANRS IPERGAY trial, gay and bisexual men were randomly assigned to take Truvada ‘as needed’ — instead of each day — or an inactive dummy pill. The group taking Truvada had an 86 percent reduction in new HIV infections, compared to people taking the placebo. That phase of the trial ended in 2014, after which the researchers offered Truvada to all the participants. After an average of about 18 months, the risk of HIV among the 362 participants fell 97 percent, compared to results with the dummy pill in the first phase of the study…” (Seanman, 7/20).