Medication makes my
HIV undetectable.
There's not enough virus
to expose my sex partner.
FAQs
What is U=U?
When HIV medication suppresses the virus to undetectable levels. That makes you untransmittable. You can’t spread the virus sexually.
What does undetectable mean?
When tests can’t find HIV in your blood for at least 6 consecutive months.
What is a viral load?
Blood tests that look for the amount of HIV in your blood.
So, I can’t transmit HIV sexually if I am undetectable?
If you stay on your meds and your viral load is undetectable then it won’t be transmitted.
Are you saying it’s impossible to get HIV from someone who is undetectable?
There have been no confirmed cases of HIV sexual transmission from an undetectable person.
I stopped taking my HIV meds last month, am I still undetectable?
If you stop meds, your viral load will increase and you will not stay undetectable.
Can I get other STDs if I am undetectable?
Yes, HIV meds do not stop other sexually transmitted diseases.
Do I need to use condoms if I am untransmittable?
It’s up to you. Condoms provide protection for other STDs.
Should my HIV negative partner use PrEP or condoms?
Everyone should have a plan for protecting themselves. Your partner should decide what works for him/her/them.
QUOTES
Antiretroviral therapy stops HIV from replicating and prevents sexual transmission of the virus to others.
NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
People who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting the virus.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Someone whose HIV is undetectable does not pose an infection risk to their sexual partners.
NAM aidsmap
Medical authorities are publicly agreeing that people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit the virus that causes AIDS.
WASHINGTON POST
RESOURCES
New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute
NYS DOH’s U=U Policy Statement, FAQ, and Commissioner's Letter
Prevention Access Campaign
HIV initiative focused on U=U
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Letter in support of U=U findings that undetectable=untransmittable
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
NIAID’s breakdown of U=U
National Institutes of Health
Study indicating HIV meds lead to being undetectable and untransmittable
PARTNER Study I and II Results
University of Liverpool’s studies on preventing HIV transmission between couples
NAMaidsmap
The “Undetectable = Untransmittable” message goes global
Washington Post
‘I don’t feel like I’m a threat anymore.’ New HIV guidelines are changing lives