What is HIV undetectable = untransmittable (U=U)?A Viral Load Will Tell The Tale, I'll tell U More

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What is HIV undetectable = untransmittable (U=U)?

Definition

Things to know

Safe practices

Summary

There is currently no cure for HIV. However, treatment can improve health and reduce the virus to levels where it is undetectable and untransmissible.

HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system and increases the risk of contracting other infections and diseases. HIV attacks CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that usually helps the body fight infections.

HIV overtakes CD4 cells to create more copies of itself, destroying the host cell. This allows the virus to spread while weakening the body’s immune system.

Some people may develop symptoms 2–4 weeksTrusted Source after contracting HIV. These may last for a few days to a few weeks and can include:

fever

tiredness

rash

muscle aches

sore throat

swollen glands in the throat, groin, or armpit

nausea, vomiting, or both

HIV can worsen without treatment and cause additional complications. For instance, HIV can develop into AIDS, where the immune system is severely damaged. People with AIDS are vulnerable to many infections that can be life-threatening.

Doctors use blood tests to check for the presence and severity of HIV. One of these tests is for viral load, which measures how many copies of HIV are present in a milliliter (mL) of blood.

People with HIV typically have a detectable viral load before they start treatment. The aim of treatment is to reduce the viral load as much as possible, which doctors call viral suppression.

There is currently no cure for HIV. However, treatment can lead to an undetectable viral load. This is where the virus is present in such small quantities that it causes few problems and does not transmit to others.

Keep reading to learn more about undetectable viral loads.

What is an undetectable viral load?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source state that viral suppression is when someone has fewer than 200 copies of HIV per mL of blood.

Different ways of testing blood for HIV mean that laboratories may have different definitions for what viral load is undetectable. However, a 2021 researchTrusted Source suggests that people who have fewer than 200 copies of HIV per mL of blood can live long and healthy lives without transmitting the virus to others.

The main goal of treatment is to reach and maintain an undetectable viral load. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) involves taking several drugs that prevent HIV from replicating. They reduce the viral load to give the immune system a chance to produce more CD4 cells and fight off infections.

ART drugs cannot completely remove HIV from the body. However, reducing the viral load to undetectable levels effectively prevents someone from passing HIV to others during sex. People must continue taking daily antiretroviral drugs to maintain an undetectable viral load.

People undergoing ART will typically receive a viral load test after starting treatment. A doctor will generally recommend going in for a viral load test in 4–6 week increments, or more often if a person is at a later stage of the condition.

People experiencing symptoms or health issues related to HIV should start improving after reaching an undetectable viral load. At that point, the immune system will typically be strong enough to fight off infections and diseases.

It is worth noting that some people with HIV may be unable to reach an undetectable viral load. This may include those who are taking other drugs that interact with ART. In these cases, people will require additional precautions and health checkups.

Things to know about undetectable viral load and transmission

Many people receiving ART are able to maintain an undetectable viral load and live long and healthy lives. However, there are still some things for a person to keep in mind about their undetectable status.

Even if undetectable, people can still get other STIs

HIV treatment does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — sometimes called STDs — so it does not decrease a person’s ability to get other STIs. As HIV compromises the immune system, it can even make getting other STIs more likelyTrusted Source.

Certain STIs have a closer link to HIV than others. These include:

syphilis

gonorrhea

herpes

For a person who maintains an undetectable viral load, having another STI does not increase their risk of passing HIV to a partner. However, ART for HIV does not stop a person from passing other STIs.

HIV can transmit via sharing needles to inject drugs

People can also pass on HIV through other practices involving an exchange of bodily fluids, such as sharing needles and syringes.

According to the CDC, 1 in 10 trusted Source new HIV diagnoses in the United States are related to injection drug use.

The CDCTrusted Source states that it remains unclear whether people with undetectable viral loads can still transmit the virus by sharing needles and syringes.

To help manage the risk, some communities offer syringe services programs (SSPs) that give people new needles and help them to dispose of used ones.

Undetectable HIV can become detectable

A person with HIV can maintain an undetectable viral load with treatment. However, if treatment stops, HIV will accumulate and become detectable again.

People with undetectable viral loads must continue taking ART. The drugs suppress HIV to protect the immune system. Stopping or reducing ART will give the virus a chance to accumulate and weaken the immune system again.

A person may still need to use condoms if they are undetectable

Even if a person has an undetectable viral load, the CDC recommends that they continue to useTrusted Source condoms or other barrier methods to limit the transmission of other STIs.

Maintaining safer sex practices while undetectable

The CDC states that there is effectively no riskTrusted Source of someone with an undetectable viral load transmitting HIV to a partner through sex. However, it is still possible to pass on other sexually transmitted infections, such as:

chlamydia

crabs

genital herpes

hepatitis B

human papillomavirus (HPV)

molluscum contagiosum

scabies

syphilis

gonorrhea

chancroid

trichomoniasis

People with an undetectable viral load should still follow safer sex practices. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests people can reduce the risk of these infections by:

knowing their sexual partners

using condoms or other barrier methods

being aware of the increased risk of certain sexual practices, such as anal sex

getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV

They can talk with a doctor about how to do this safely. According to the CDC, receiving ART and maintaining an undetectable viral load reduces the chances of transmission through breastfeeding to less than 1%Trusted Source.  All is whether the person is undetectable and drinking drops of anything is not going to change that...he/she already with a pill or injection fought the virus and kicked it under the bed. No, you did not kill it but kill most of it and whatever is left if any will remain dormant as long as you take your pills. Im quoting doctors but they side on the side of carefulness. You will do yourself a favor particularly if you think you are negative but have not had a test (home tests I've seen for $49.00 at a drugstore), Free otherwise, no excuse not to have that test. If you learn the chemistry of this virus you will do yourself a favor. You do not want to be the cause for somebody to harm themselves and you don't want to miss out on the man of your life that will not harm you in any way no matter what sex you have as long as you know how you get it and how you don't. We are destroying and kicking aside thousand of stud guys that are only looking for a partner. But they happen to be extra honest because if he knows he is not going to hurt you, would he tell? That is a question I would like you to think about.

Summary

An undetectable viral load is where the number of HIV copies is too low for detection by blood tests. Antiretroviral treatment aims to reach and maintain an undetectable viral load.

When HIV is well-managed, people are at a lower risk of acquiring other infections, such as opportunistic infections. They are also able to engage in sexual activities with no risk of passing on the infection but one can still get STDs. However, it is still important to practice safe sex to reduce the risk of transmitting other infections.