POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => How Can I Prevent HIV? => Topic started by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 09:05:40 am

Title: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 09:05:40 am

Hey guys! I have a question! I read that once a person
With hiv gets  undetectable  can no longer pass the virus
To sexual partner! But what about other ways besides sex??
Does this apply for other ways too? Which does does involved sex?
Thanx :)

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 09:27:59 am

Correct, it's Treatment as prevention (TasP)

So a person living with HIV (PLHIV), who is on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and has achieved an undetectable viral load in their blood for at least 6 months, can not sexually pass on HIV. This is also known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

TaSP also reduces the risk of passing HIV on during childbirth to less than 1%, however, other vectors like Intravenous drug use (sharing syringes) and blood transfusions remains an HIV risk.

Thankfully though blood donations are screened for HIV before use.

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 09:52:45 am

Hi Jim :) thanx for the your reply! You mention
Drug equipment ,Syringes and blood transfusion!
What about blood to blood contact? Via open cuts or wounds?
Xx

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 09:53:03 am

Hi Jim :) thanx for the your reply! You mention
Drug equipment ,Syringes and blood transfusion!
What about blood to blood contact? Via open cuts or wounds?
Xx

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 09:54:54 am

Day to day cuts, scrapes, wounds, skin conditions isn't an HIV concern regardless of someone's viral load.

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 09:58:51 am

Your adult HIV risks are limited.

- Sex
- Sharing drugs rigs (Syringes)
- Blood transfusions (Rare thanks to screening)

It's simple don't share syringes, use condoms, consider PrEP as an additional layer and, test yearly out of standard routine..

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 10:00:32 am

I see :) but how come undetectable has zero risk for sex but not
For blood transfusion and drug equipment?
Just for the sake of curiosity really :)

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 10:05:36 am

Because unlike during sex, when sharing syringes you are injecting a viable quantity of HIV directly into the bloodstream. This bypasses a number of barriers including in part the innate immune system providing HIV a direct route.

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 10:12:09 am

Anyhow, from an HIV prevention point of view and back on topic, it's simple don't share syringes, use condoms, consider PrEP as an additional layer and, test yearly out of standard routine..

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Joystick on August 28, 2022, 10:15:29 am

Thank you! :)

Title: Re: Undetectable viral load
Post by: Jim Allen on August 28, 2022, 10:28:44 am

You're welcome.