The national health department in USA has stated that if a person with hiv takes antiretrovirals when "healthy" it reduces the transfer risk to the uninfected partner by 96 per cent. This is based on a survey of 1763 couples where only one partner has developed hiv. What is the view of Thebody on this.

Hello,

This news is hot off the press! Here is a link to the press release. From an HIV prevention standpoint, this is extremely encouraging news. It also adds to the growing list of advantages of beginning antiretroviral therapy as early as possible even if the CD4 count is high. Many of us have been advocating for immediate antiretroviral intervention at the time of diagnosis even when the CD4 count is above 500 to prevent damaging immune activation and to preserve immune function! We can now add a significantly decreased risk of transmission to that list of early intervention benefits. Stay tuned to the Body. We'll have more to say about this topic soon, including the difficulties of providing antiretroviral therapy (cost, supplies, etc.) to all who could benefit from it.

Dr. Bob