Teens try the pill that blocks HIV infection

People who do not have HIV can take Pre-Exposure Prophalaxis, or PrEP, to substantially reduce the risk of becoming infected. Drug companies are now conducting studies to test the drugs effectiveness in reducing new incidence of HIV in teens. Critics say the prevention drug could promote a feeling of invincibility and encourage risky sexual behavior – for instance, forgoing condoms and risking contracting other sexually transmitted infections. “What we wanted to do was design a study where they could try to take this pill everyday and see whether, one, they were interested in taking it, two, if it was hard for them to take it, and three, how it impacted their sexual behavior.” How realistic is the possibility of PrEP working to protect teens against HIV? The story aired on NPR’s All Tech Considered, a partner of Youth Radio.