Glad you’ve been reading about U=U! Undetectable = Untransmittable.
U=U is great news when it comes to HIV prevention. In short, when someone living with HIV maintains an undetectable viral load, there is effectively no risk that they will transmit HIV to their partner through condomless sex.
Having an undetectable viral load requires some work. It means getting a doctor who is knowledgeable about HIV, taking HIV medications as prescribed without missing or skipping doses and attending all medical appointments so that they can measure viral load and confirm an undetectable level.
When someone maintains an undetectable viral load through HIV medication they will not pass HIV to sex partners or to an infant through pregnancy or delivery. There are no studies that show it will prevent transmission through shared needles. Having an undetectable viral load will reduce the risk, but we are not sure by how much. Whether you inject drugs, steroids or hormones, avoid sharing needles with other people. Check out www.streetconnections.ca to find out where you can get new needles and safely dispose of used ones in Manitoba.
Taking HIV medications and having an undetectable viral load is a great goal for your own health, even if you are not currently using drugs or having sex. You may want to think about how to set yourself up for success when it comes to taking these medications daily, or talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about tips to successfully taking these medications.
Help Stop The Virus has easy to understand videos and info about viral load and HIV medications.
The studies where U=U was confirmed are also very interesting reading.
