Hey there! Great news in the fight against HIV! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a new medicine that can help prevent HIV infection, and you only need to take it twice a year! 🎉
This new medicine is called lenacapavir (pronounced len-ah-CAP-uh-veer) and will be sold under the name Yeztugo. It comes as two small shots given under the skin of your tummy, and it slowly releases the medicine over six months. That means less worry about daily pills or frequent doctor visits. Pretty cool, right? 😊
HIV is a virus that affects the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. While using condoms can help prevent HIV, medicines like Yeztugo are another way to stay protected, especially for people who are at higher risk.
In some important studies in South Africa and Uganda, lenacapavir was tested with thousands of young women and teen girls. The results were amazing! 🌟 None of the people who got the shots got HIV, while some who were taking daily pills did get infected. This shows how effective the new shot can be.
Even though this is a big step forward, there are still challenges. It’s important that everyone who needs this medicine can get it. Right now, we don’t know how much it will cost, and it only prevents HIV, not other diseases that can be passed on during sex.
Remember, protecting yourself and others is important! If you have questions about HIV or how to stay safe, don’t hesitate to talk to a trusted adult or healthcare provider. Together, we can make a difference! 💪❤️
Reference(s):
FDA approves the world's only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV
cgtn.com
