Research on the ability of some sexual lubricants to kill HIV in test tubes, conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, may lead some of us to believe we can lose the latex.

But a lot more research still needs to be done. Similar findings were reported about Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) some years back and subsequent studies in humans proved that N-9 actually increased the risk of HIV transmission.

What UTMB has learned so far is that three lubricants -- Astroglide, Vagisil and ViAmor -- have significant abilities to kill HIV in test tubes. Unlike N-9, these lubricants do not have the irritating effects inside the vagina and the rectum, which caused N-9 to increase the risk of HIV infection.

Researchers warn that lubricants should not be used as the sole protection against HIV transmission. Lubricants should always be used with a condom.

Findings of this study can be found in the July 20 issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.