Reaction Article #11: Women 'may face greater HIV risk'

Name: Wendy Cheng (49712053)
Date: 12/19/2008
From: BBC NEWS

My Reactions:
According to the news “Women ‘may face greater HIV risk’,” the new researches which are done by American and UK scientists show that even people try their best to prevent themselves from getting AIDS, the fatal HIV virus is more easier to penetrate into layer of skin beyond our imagination. Especially for women, it is more dangerous for them to be infected by HIV after revealing the fact that the scary virus can breach even healthy vaginal tissue.

People are used to think that there are three common reasons for human to get AIDS. One is unprotected sex between man and woman, another is sharing as well as reusing syringes or needles, and the other is perinatal transmission from mother to child. Besides, HIV is most likely going through cuts or sores in the vaginal tract. However, the scientists in Chicago found that HIV could move quickly between the skin cells when they are about to be shed. Therefore, people have new understanding about HIV invasion of the female vaginal tract.

As far as I am concerned, scientists should find out new prevention strategies to block the entry of HIV through a woman’s genital skin by developing biological technology. The most effective way to prevent AIDS presently is still condoms. The new research reinforces the need for women to avoid unprotected sex unless their partner's health is known. I really feel sad to the death that is brought by AIDS throughout the world. We have to do our best to prevent the virus from spread wider on Earth. The governments worldwide should also learn some lessons from the research. (269 words)