What is HIV treatment?
While there is no cure for HIV, there exists highly effective treatment. Treatment for HIV consists of medications that are called antiretroviral therapy (ART). For many people living with HIV, ART consists of taking one pill a day that contains multiple medications. There are many different combinations available, and people living with HIV are likely to find an effective treatment with little or no side effects.
ART cannot cure HIV. However, if taken consistently as prescribed, the medications can control the virus and allow a person's immune system to strengthen. This means that people living with HIV who have access to ART can live full, healthy lives. Research on HIV treatment has shown that when treatment is started early, it can significantly reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. It is recommended that people who are diagnosed with HIV start treatment immediately.
ART cannot cure HIV. However, if taken consistently as prescribed, the medications can control the virus and allow a person's immune system to strengthen. This means that people living with HIV who have access to ART can live full, healthy lives. Research on HIV treatment has shown that when treatment is started early, it can significantly reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. It is recommended that people who are diagnosed with HIV start treatment immediately.
What does U=U mean?
When people living with HIV take antiretroviral therapy as prescribed, their viral load - the amount of HIV in their blood - becomes so low that it is undetectable by a standard blood test.
It has been scientifically proven that people living with HIV on effective treatment who maintain an undetectable viral load:
It has been scientifically proven that people living with HIV on effective treatment who maintain an undetectable viral load:
- Do not pass HIV on to their sexual partner(s);
- Do not pass HIV during pregnancy or at birth, and can give birth to HIV-negative children;
- Significantly reduce their chances of passing HIV when breastfeeding; and
- Significantly reduce their chances of passing HIV to others when sharing drug use equipment.
When HIV is undetectable, it is untransmittable.
This is one option people have to enjoy sex while living with HIV! However, due to inequities in access to treatment and care, not everyone living with HIV has an undetectable viral load.
This is one option people have to enjoy sex while living with HIV! However, due to inequities in access to treatment and care, not everyone living with HIV has an undetectable viral load.
What is the science behind U=U?
We can confidently say that U=U thanks to years of scientific research, and in particular two key research studies. These studies examined instances of sex without a condom among couples with one HIV-positive partner and one HIV-negative partner. These studies, called the PARTNER study and PARTNER 2 study, showed that there were zero cases of transmission when the HIV-positive partner was on effective treatment and maintained an undetectable viral load.
"The time for excuses is over. It is very, very clear that the risk is zero. I very much think we have to promote this...If you are on suppressive ART [Anti-Retroviral Therapy] you are sexually non-infectious."
- Dr. Alison Rodger, lead author of PARTNER 2
- Dr. Alison Rodger, lead author of PARTNER 2
