What does Undetectable Mean?
HIV viral load tests measure the amount of HIV virus in the blood. There are many different viral load tests used by labs in the U.S., each with different degrees of sensitivity for detecting the virus. Regardless of which test is used if someone's HIV viral load remains below 200 copies/ml of blood they are considered undetectable. Undetectable means the same thing as being virally suppressed.
What does Untransmittable Mean?
Untransmittable means there is no evidence that individuals who have successfully achieved and maintained an undetectable viral load or viral suppression can transmit the virus through sex. There's not enough HIV in the body to transmit HIV.
How long does it take to become Undetectable?
Once the medical provider finds the right treatment regimen for a person it can take up to 6 months for the medications to lower the number of HIV particles in a person's body to undetectable level. Taking medications as prescribed and remaining in HIV care helps people get to an undetectable level faster. Getting viral load blood work from your medical provider is the only way to know when a person has reached an undetectable level.
How long does someone need to be Undetectable to be considered Untransmittable?
After first reaching an HIV undetectable viral load a person should maintain viral suppression for 6 months before they use their undetectable status as a method of HIV prevention.
How often should someone living with HIV have their viral load checked?
Someone with HIV should get a viral load test every 3 months to make sure they are virally suppressed. If a person has been undetectable for a long time a provider may switch to less frequent viral load testing, maybe every 6 months.
Does U=U apply to all kinds of sex?
Yes. People living with HIV that have an undetectable viral load or viral suppression cannot transmit HIV through insertive or receptive vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Does U=U help protect against other sexually transmitted infections?
No. U=U only applies to the prevention of HIV transmission.
Should condoms still be used if someone is undetectable?
Since U=U only applies to HIV condoms remain an important option to reduce the risk of other sextually transmitted infections.
If someone is Undetectable should their partner still take PrEP?
If one is in a monogamous relationship with someone who has an undetectable viral load, it may not be necessary, but a partner may decide to continue PrEP because they feel more assured by making their own sexual health decision. However, an HIV negative person who is in an open relationship where there may be other sexual partners may want to continue PrEP in reducing the risk of HIV infection.
Does U=U apply to people who inject drugs?
U=U does not apply to HIV transmission from sharing needles or other items used to inject drugs. Using new needles and items used to infect drugs every time is a vital practice to prevent the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infections through blood.
Why is it important to talk about U=U?
It is important for everyone to discuss sexual health, including sexual history, risk factors, getting tested for HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. U=U is an important option in preventing HIV transmission. A person living with HIV and has an Undetectable viral load does not put someone who is HIV negative at risk for HIV transmission. Talking about risk factors, U=U, and healthy sexual decisions can reduce stigma about HIV.
The Tennessee Department of Health HIV Prevention Program provided format and information for this page. 8.9.2021
HIV viral load tests measure the amount of HIV virus in the blood. There are many different viral load tests used by labs in the U.S., each with different degrees of sensitivity for detecting the virus. Regardless of which test is used if someone's HIV viral load remains below 200 copies/ml of blood they are considered undetectable. Undetectable means the same thing as being virally suppressed.
What does Untransmittable Mean?
Untransmittable means there is no evidence that individuals who have successfully achieved and maintained an undetectable viral load or viral suppression can transmit the virus through sex. There's not enough HIV in the body to transmit HIV.
How long does it take to become Undetectable?
Once the medical provider finds the right treatment regimen for a person it can take up to 6 months for the medications to lower the number of HIV particles in a person's body to undetectable level. Taking medications as prescribed and remaining in HIV care helps people get to an undetectable level faster. Getting viral load blood work from your medical provider is the only way to know when a person has reached an undetectable level.
How long does someone need to be Undetectable to be considered Untransmittable?
After first reaching an HIV undetectable viral load a person should maintain viral suppression for 6 months before they use their undetectable status as a method of HIV prevention.
How often should someone living with HIV have their viral load checked?
Someone with HIV should get a viral load test every 3 months to make sure they are virally suppressed. If a person has been undetectable for a long time a provider may switch to less frequent viral load testing, maybe every 6 months.
Does U=U apply to all kinds of sex?
Yes. People living with HIV that have an undetectable viral load or viral suppression cannot transmit HIV through insertive or receptive vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Does U=U help protect against other sexually transmitted infections?
No. U=U only applies to the prevention of HIV transmission.
Should condoms still be used if someone is undetectable?
Since U=U only applies to HIV condoms remain an important option to reduce the risk of other sextually transmitted infections.
If someone is Undetectable should their partner still take PrEP?
If one is in a monogamous relationship with someone who has an undetectable viral load, it may not be necessary, but a partner may decide to continue PrEP because they feel more assured by making their own sexual health decision. However, an HIV negative person who is in an open relationship where there may be other sexual partners may want to continue PrEP in reducing the risk of HIV infection.
Does U=U apply to people who inject drugs?
U=U does not apply to HIV transmission from sharing needles or other items used to inject drugs. Using new needles and items used to infect drugs every time is a vital practice to prevent the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infections through blood.
Why is it important to talk about U=U?
It is important for everyone to discuss sexual health, including sexual history, risk factors, getting tested for HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. U=U is an important option in preventing HIV transmission. A person living with HIV and has an Undetectable viral load does not put someone who is HIV negative at risk for HIV transmission. Talking about risk factors, U=U, and healthy sexual decisions can reduce stigma about HIV.
The Tennessee Department of Health HIV Prevention Program provided format and information for this page. 8.9.2021