When people living with HIV have an undetectable viral load, HIV cannot be passed during sex. Even without a condom, when people living with HIV have a consistent undetectable viral load and are getting HIV care, there is no way that HIV can be passed during sex.
Undetectable means the amount of HIV in a person’s body is so small, it cannot be found on a standard test. In BC, the majority of people living with HIV have an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load means zero risk of HIV being passed during sex.
This concept is known as U=U (undetectable = untransmissible). It means people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load for at least six months and
are taking HIV treatment as prescribed cannot pass HIV through any kind of sex, even without using condoms or PrEP.
U=U is an evidence-based, science-backed message: there is zero risk HIV can be passed through sex when a person living with HIV has an undetectable viral load. Zero risk.
Whether or not a person living with HIV is undetectable, stigma has no place in the conversation. HIV can only be passed when one of five body fluids (blood, precum and semen, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, or breastmilk/human milk) comes into direct contact an HIV-negative person’s bloodstream.
There are many options and choices for people living with HIV and HIV-negative people to live full lives, including having sex and having children, without passing HIV. A range of harm reduction strategies in day-to-day life and routine practices in health care and other work settings make it possible to prevent HIV.
Most people who are taking HIV treatment as prescribed by a health care provider are able to lower the amount of HIV to an undetectable level.
More facts about undetectable viral loads:
- Can’t pass it on, a fact sheet about u=u from the Government of Canada
- What is undetectable?, an explanation from CATIE
- indetectable =intransmisible, from Ribbon Community
Ribbon Community Peer Navigators are available to connect with people living with HIV who want to know more about what u=u means in every day life.
The HIV Prevention Case Managers are available to connect with people who do not have HIV and want to know more about what u=u means in every day life.
Learn more about undetectable viral loads
Ribbon Community team members provide information about undetectable viral loads to people in British Columbia.
