We devote a fair amount of space in Positive Living to reporting the results of clinical trials, but do you understand why medical research is done this way? This Backgrounder looks at the science behind clinical trials.

The internet is a great source of information about HIV/AIDS and a great way to connect with others, but not all the information and people on the net can be trusted. What are some useful HIV/AIDS sites?

Non-nucleosides are a powerful option for treating HIV, but cross-resistance can mean you only get one bite of the cherry. This is the final instalment in a three-part series looking at key drug classes.

In the last issue, we took a look at the nucleoside analogue 'backbone' of anti-HIV treatment, but a strong backbone is only part of the story -- it needs something to hold up. This Backgrounder looks at the protease inhibitor class of drugs.

Nucleoside analogues are the backbone of successful anti-HIV treatments. This article examines some of the issues involved in selecting the best nucleoside backbone.

The process by which HIV causes AIDS is still not completely understood, however our knowledge has come a long way since the early days. This Backgrounder examines the various stages of HIV infection.

If we take the time to understand how HIV is – and isn’t – transmitted, we are that much better armed to protect our partners. This issue's Backgrounder explains the ins and outs of HIV transmission.

Does HIV cause AIDS? This Backgrounder explains the relationship between the virus and the disease, and the scientific basis that our knowledge is based upon.

For the last two years, Backgrounder has covered topics as varied as the story of the smallpox vaccine and the laboratory dogs who gave their lives to further our understanding of human anatomy, all as a way of helping our readers understand the basic science behind HIV/AIDS.

This issue's Backgrounder shows how different drug classes target different stages in the HIV life cycle.