Bee stings might not be so bad after all.

A toxin found in bee venom can destroy HIV while leaving nearby cells unharmed, doctors say.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis said their findings are crucial to developing a prophylactic orifice gel that could be used to stop HIV transmission.

“Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection,” said Dr. Joshua L. Hood.