Thanks for your question. I assume that you are talking about being HIV positive and having an undetectable viral load.
Taking your HIV medications as prescribed and maintaining an undetectable viral load (measured through routine blood tests) eliminates your chance of transmitting HIV to sex partners. When you continue to maintain an undetectable HIV viral load / are undetectable for 6 months or more, science tells us its impossible for you to transmit the HIV virus to another person by having sex.
But an undetectable viral load does not protect you from acquiring other STIs like Trichomoniasis or “Trich”. If your BF has Trich, he is definitely at increased risk of contracting an STBBI from another / a different sex partner (HIV, Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STI’s).
If your boyfriend has Trich, then you may have been exposed to Trich. Trichomoniasis is treated quickly and easily with antibiotics. It is important that you and your sexual partner get tested and treated. Testing is available only to people with vaginas, but people with penises or vaginas can be treated for Trich. If you or your sexual partner aren’t treated at the same time, this increases the risk of reinfection from one person back to the other.
Here are some proven STBBI prevention methods:
- using condoms regularly and correctly (internal or external)
- routine testing if sexually active
- seeking information from your health care provider(s)
People using drugs can prevent STBBI transmission by:
- always using new equipment
- never sharing
- safely disposing of old equipment
There are several places across Manitoba where condoms and safer drug supplies are available. I hope this is helpful.
