Study shows passing on HIV while undetectable is very unlikely
Another new study has shown that it is very unlikely for a HIV positive man to pass on the virus to an HIV-negative partner, if the former has an undetectable viral load.
The study looked at 1.763 serodiscordant couples where the HIV-positive partner had an undetectable viral load.
The HPTN 052 study findings were presented at the 8th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, which took place in Vancouver.
“The study now makes crystal clear that when an HIV-infected person takes antiretroviral therapy that keeps the virus suppressed, the treatment is highly effective at preventing sexual transmission of HIV to an uninfected heterosexual partner,” Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.
“For heterosexuals who can achieve and maintain viral suppression, the risk to their partners is exceedingly low.”
This is the latest in a line of studies which have had similar findings.
“These findings demonstrate that HIV transmission is very unlikely when viral replication is suppressed,” the study authors concluded.
New analysis suggested that taking ARVs earlier rather than later after HIV diagnosis was best, in terms of prevention.
