The study of Kenyan men has raised the possibility that vaccinating against genital warts could drive down the rates of infection of HIV, which is causing devastation in Asia and Africa. Scientists from the University of North Carolina tested 2,168 Kenyan men at the start of the study and discovered that half tested positive for Human Papilloma Virus, which is the cause of genital warts and cervical cancer in women.

Over the course of 3.5 years, 6% of the men with HPV developed HIV, compered to just under 4% of those who at the start of the study tested negative for HPV. The researchers made controls for the risk factors for HIV and eventually showed that men with HPV were 80% more likely than those without to become infected with HIV. In the latest study, even when researchers factored in the impact of circumcision on HIV infection, sexual history and whether the men had genital herpes, which is also associated with HIV, there was a strong link between HPV and AIDS.

The results suggest that the HPV virus itself may make someone more succeptible to HIV. The results are part of a wider study into HIV, which showed that circumcision reduces a man’s likelihood of developing HIV. Genital warts is a very common sexually transmitted infection. Sufferers develop small warts around the genitals and anus. The warts can be controlled with topical creams like Warticon and Aldara. However though Warticon and Aldara can treat visible warts, the virus itself is incurable. A vaccine for the strain of HPV that causes genital warts has however been developed, named Gardasil. Though vaccination programs have focused on young women, in order to reduce incidences of cervical cancer, Gardasil was recently approved to vaccinate young men.

While many Western governments have launched vaccination programs for women, the costs of a vaccination program in the third world, worst hit by HIV, would likely prove probative. However it is likely that the team, lead by Dr. Jennifer S. Smith, will conduct trials to see whether the vaccine could reduce rates of HIV transmission. In a written statement, Smith said “Finding a vaccine to prevent HIV is the greatest hope for curbing the world’s AIDS pandemic, but so far there is no such vaccine. However, there is a vaccine to prevent specific types of HPV infection, and vaccinating young men before they become sexually active could potentially help prevent the spread of HIV.”

The spread of HIV to the outside of the human body is due to the diffusion of fluids coming from the body such as blood or semen. Being so, this virus is transmitted via sexual intercourse, which would comprise even oral and anal sex. Another danger of transmitting HIV is that it is also possible while sharing needles in injecting illegal drugs. Furthermore, HIV can also be transferred by the mother to their unborn baby. But these days, there are drugs and medications existing in which this risk can be decreased. And HIV can also be transmitted through blood transfusions.

There are preventive measures available for people who test negative for HIV. It is significant to understand all of the necessary details regarding HIV and its methods for transmission from person to person. You should also know about the diverse symptoms associated with AIDS. Another is the building of public awareness of HIV and AIDS by using educational programs. Having sex with a stranger can be very dangerous; make sure that your partner is negative for HIV. Then one should never have unprotected sex; using condoms are a must as latex condoms are generally more useful than polyurethane made condoms; HIV may also be passed on through the use of sharp instruments infected with the virus such as needles and syringes. Therefore, it is always a good idea to use new and sterilized syringes when injecting drugs, plus new blades should be used when shaving. And blood transfusion is also another mode of transmission for the virus, so it is better to use blood that has already been screened and has tested negative for STIs such as HIV.

There are also preventive measures that are available for those who are infected with HIV. The best method for prevention is total abstinence from sex; follow safe sex methods and practices like the usage of condoms and the avoidance of doing any forms of anal and oral intercourse. Sexual devices that have been used by people who are HIV positive should not be used by other people. Doing this, one can help prevent the further spread of the disease. Also, you should never share your syringes, needles, toothbrushes, razors or any other sharp objects with other people as these things can become a possible source of transmission; keep in mind that an a person that is HIV positive should never donate any of their organs–even blood–because such a donation can possibly cause the spread of the disease to others. And if the person with whom the HIV-positive person had sex with is pregnant, it is prudent to tell her the truth about your condition. In addition, early treatment and diagnosis can help prevent the spread of the disease within the woman as well as in the child.