Valley researcher: AIDS vaccine 5-10 years away
Jul 25, 2012, 7:00 AM | Updated: 7:00 am
PHOENIX — Will we see a cure for AIDS in our lifetime?
A Phoenix researcher is in Washington, D.C. for the International AIDS Conference to discuss that question.
Dr. Carol Poore is the CEO for Southwest Center for HIV and AIDS in Phoenix. The non-profit provides testing, resources and research about the disease.
Poore said a vaccine is still five to 10 years away, but new treatment is available.
“Their best chance of living long and well with HIV/AIDS is to get in to a doctor and get on medication,” she said.
Poore said many people are going online to find out their risk factors.
“Social media is playing a huge role in helping people get connected to testing and become aware of their status,” she said.
Those under 16 and those over 55 are most at risk for contracting the HIV virus. Poore said kids don’t have first-hand experience with the disease, while older adults assume they are safe.
African-American women are seven times more likely to get the disease than Hispanic or Caucasian women.
The conference wraps up this week.
