Research as in general may be defined as a methodical study which is carried out to answer a specific situation. It is based on experiment and thus helps in finding out an answer to a particular problem. HIV research is also similar to this as it helps in finding out new methodologies which can help us in finding out a solution to any problem related to the HIV. Scientists the world over are trying to do their level best so that cure for the dreaded virus can be found out.

The various aspects included in HIV research are:

• To find ways and means by which the number of HIV infected individuals all over the world is reduced. In areas like the underdeveloped countries efforts are being made to find out ways in which people are taught about the preventions they should take in order to prevent themselves from the infections.
• To find a vaccine or a drug that can cure the infection caused due to HIV and also eliminate the root cause of the infection. Both the therapeutic as well as the preventive vaccines are under the course of development and will soon be available which would prevent from the infection and also cure it completely.
• To prevent HIV from spreading from a mother to her child. Although advances are being made in this field yet not much success has been achieved.

All these are the goals which have to be met as of yet so HIV research is being carried out on all these topics. But, the scenario has completely changed from what it used to be many years back and all this has been made possible by the hard work and the dedication of the scientists all over the world who have carried out HIV research over the years.

The following are the achievements of the scientists over the years:

• They have been successful in developing the drugs which are responsible for reducing the extent of infection caused due to HIV and have also helped to live a longer life than it used to be the case years before where an HIV infected individual used to die of AIDS. For example the NRTI, NNRTI, PI etc have been developed.
• They have been successful in developing various tests which confirm the presence of the HIV present inside the body. The rapid blood test and the home test kits being the latest developments.
• The HIV research has also been a boon to people as it is only because of the research work being carried out that the causes of the infection have been known and people have become aware as to the precautions they should take to prevent themselves from the infection. For example, people have now learnt that the use of condom would protect them from HIV infection and also that one should always make use of sterilized needles etc.

In spite of the fact that much has been achieved there still remains a lot which has to be acheived to stop the HIV epidemic from taking its toll on lives all over the world.