Across the earth , there are currently approximately 33.4 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus or take immunodeficiency syndrome ( HIV / AIDS ) , and the disease hasclaimed the lives of over 25 millionsince it was initially reported in 1981 . Some areas , such as sub - saharan Africa , are in particular regard . In that region as many as 1 in 3 people are infect with the virus .
This pandemic has been particularly difficult to treat because the medications are expensive and must be stored in precise conditions . On top of that , there is a high act of pills that must be taken each solar day . HIV is infamous for how cursorily it mutate , which is yet another ground why researchers have had such a difficult time killing the computer virus entirely . Despite these challenges , there have been encouraging advances announced in combating HIV .
It was recently announced that a new drug to treat HIV by preventing it from integrating with human DNA has been develop . The medication act byinhibiting HIV integrase , the enzyme that allows the computer virus to tap into human DNA . Integrase has been an attractive target for HIV researchers for old age , and two approved medicament are already on the market . This new medicine is unique in that it may also be an efficacious discussion against co - contagion of viral and microbic infections , such as T.B. . The drug is presently in the pre clinical trial form , where issue such as efficacy and toxicity are determine .
One inquiry team believe they are develop a drug that circumvents this obstacle , and can actually trick HIV into put down itself while leaving healthy cell alone . This " Dual Action Virolytic Entry Inhibitor " ( DAVEI ) makes the virus think it is attached to a cell . When the virus then go to release its contents into what it believes is the new host , it really just pops itselfand renders itself neutral .
Some early inquiry even keep going the potential for an AIDS vaccinum . The candidate vaccine was point to whole clean monkeys of the HIV - relatedsimian immunodeficiency virus ( SIV ) . Researchers trust that further development will result in a vaccinum that will crystallize humans of HIV . The squad is presently exploring options to modify thecytomegalovirus ( CMV ) vector so that it will have similar positive resultant in humans .