August 22, 2014 - Houston Chronicle.
By Kyrie O'Connor
A drug that is highly effective in preventing HIV infection has found a growing clientele in heterosexual women.
Doctors and advocates say the drug, Truvada, has the potential to empower women to assume more control over their own health protection. Truvada is the only drug approved by federal regulators for HIV prevention.
Dr. Charlene Flash, an infectious disease specialist at Harris Health System's Thomas Street Health Center, says about half of the patients she sees who take Truvada to prevent HIV infection are women.
"We're able to demonstrate that it works for them," she said, if they have partners who are HIV-positive or use injectable drugs, a key risk factor for infection. Continue reading…
