HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Featured Trials

HIV+ Long-Term Non-Progressor Study

Long-Term Non-Progressors - a small group of people who are HIV positive yet remain healthy for long periods of time without medications - can help researchers at NIH determine how their immune systems control HIV disease. This knowledge is critical for developing new treatments and vaccines.

Some of the research studies at the NIH Clinical Center involve promising new treatments that may directly benefit patients.

What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial (also clinical research) is a research study in which people participate as volunteers.

A research study is a scientific investigation to achieve a complete understanding of a topic.

Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find

• Treatments and medications that work in people
• Ways to improve health

There are strict rules for clinical trials, which are monitored by

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Food and Drug Administration

Basic Facts About the Clinical Trials

• The trials are located in Bethesda, Maryland.
• Some trials are only for people in the local area, but most permit people from anywhere in the United States to enroll.
• Some travel costs may be covered.
• There is no cost for study-related medical care or medicines.
• People can be referred to a clinical trial by their personal physicians, or they can refer themselves.
• There may be some compensation for time and inconvenience.

Why Participate?

Participants in clinical trials are

• Seen by a team of expert doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff
• Often the first to receive promising new treatments before they become available in the community
• Helping others with the same disease—both today and in the future

Participants in clinical trials can

• Play a more active role in their own health care
• Potentially gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available
• Help others by contributing to greater medical knowledge

Read More About the Research

Learn more about the research conducted at NIAID to fight HIV and other emerging infectious diseases

What Is It Like To Participate?

I’ve realized that our only hope of truly curbing [the HIV/AIDS] pandemic is the discovery of a vaccine. This is why I fight.

– Kymone Freeman

Read more about participating in the Participant's Guide to Clinical Trials

Read some Participant Testimonials to see more about what its like to participate.

You can also watch a series of short informational videos from Health and Human Services about participating in clinical trials.