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A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Acyclovir and Transmission of HIV-1 From Persons Infected With HIV-1 and HSV-2," by Celum and colleagues, published in the February 4, 2010 issue.

This article presents ten myths about the spread of HIV around the world that are harming preventive efforts. The first myth is that HIV spreads like wildfire which it does not. Other myths look at condoms, treatment and technological advances as excuses not to practice safe sex. The author says that one priority to stop the spread of the disease, must be education on the risk of having multiple sexual partners.

This article presents an editorial on AIDS prevention. The author writes that he has a particular affinity to condom use because of its effectiveness in preventing disease transmission when used properly. The author also discusses abstinence and notes that adolescents, who are usually the target of such education are not the main transmitters of the disease, but rather people in their 20s and 30s have the highest instances of transmission. The author writes that other behaviors that must be targeted include the practice of multiple partners. The author notes that some people view condoms as a way to continue in risky sexual behavior, and that some long-term couples are unwilling to use condoms.

Calls on the international health community to support efforts to make contraception available to women on antiretroviral drugs. Initiative in Africa for providing antiretroviral therapy to HIV patients; Challenges including overcoming AIDS-related stigma; Indication that women are more likely to be infected with HIV than men are; The need for effective family planning which can lead to social and economic benefits; Concern about harming the fetus in utero with antriretrovirals and about maternal-to-child transmission; Classes of antiretroviral drugs; The issues of mitochondrial toxicity and low birthweight in babies of HIV-positive women; Advantages from linking family planning and antiretroviral-drug services.

The author explores the HIV/AIDS policy implications of research findings that heterosexual transmission of HIV can be prevented with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The challenges of implementing an ARV control program are outlined, including the testing of infected and at-risk populations, adherence of subjects to the drug regimen, and the potential development of viral drug resistance. He concludes that ARVs can complement other HIV interventions, but HIV vaccine research is still a priority.