KS3/4 Science - Fighting HIV: The Issue

Description

Eight years ago, when Clint Walters was only 17, he found out he was HIV positive. The news shattered Clint and his family, but worse was to come: Clint's rapid progression to full-blown AIDS almost killed him.

Thankfully modern combination therapies have restored Clint to almost full health. In this programme we meet Clint as he undergoes a charity walk to raise money for a clinic he is hoping to open, a weekend HIV testing centre for young people.

In preparation for setting up his centre Clint meets with various top scientists to find out about the science behind HIV and AIDS. Firstly he meets Dr Michael Brady, from Kings College London, who explains why controlling HIV is so difficult and talks about the difficulties of keeping to a drug regime that lasts for life.

Dr Anton Pozniak talks about vaccine trials, whilst Professor Jonathan Weber talks to us about the most recent developments in HIV prevention and the microbicide programme, which is currently being tested in Africa and the UK.

Part of the series: Inspirations