Risk Of Hiv Transmission With Undetectable Viral Load

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Articles

Minimal Risk of Sexual HIV Transmission for Heterosexual Couples When the HIV-Positive Partner Has an Undetectable Viral Load

A systematic review of publications reporting on rates of HIV transmission between heterosexual couples, where the HIV positive partner has an undetectable viral load on ART, revealed minimum risk of transmission. Michelle Letchumanan, on behalf... Read more »

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Undetectable Viral Load Essentially Eliminates HIV Transmission Risk in Straight Couples

A recent review indicated that heterosexual serodiscordant couples have a low risk of HIV transmission if the HIV-infected partner has an undetectable viral load as a result of successful antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. The study by the National AIDS... Read more »

HIV Can Be Found in Semen Even When Viral Load Is Undetectable in Blood

HIV can be detected in semen of men who have an undetectable viral load in blood, according to results of a 304-man study. 1 This finding underlines the importance of using condoms when having sex, even if a man is taking antiretroviral therapy... Read more »

Ask the Experts

My doc told me that on treatment transmission risk is extremely low. Is he correct? (TRANSMISSION RISK WITH UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD, 2009)

It is quite difficult to find specific answers and I was only able to find a study from Switzerland which seems very encouraging. I asked my doctor about the risks of transmission during effective HAART and he said that the risk is not zero but...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,"It is quite difficult to find specific answers . . . ." WHAT??? Not here it isn't. Just use the search function and you'll find very specific answers to questions you've not even thought of asking yet. Go ahead. Give... Read more »

Undetectable Viral Load Infection and Superinfection (FINDINGS SUGGEST HIV CAN BE TRANSMITTED FROM MSM WITH UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD 2009) (SUPERINFECTION, 2009)

Thanks for your comments and information about the possibility that people with undetectable viral might be able to infect HIV negative people and contribute to HIV superinfection, but is there any research revealing the actual numbers of such...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,No, we do not have reliable information as to how often this phenomenon occurs. As you can probably imagine it is quite challenging to conclusively prove that a particular strain of HIV was transmitted to an already infected individual. This... Read more »

Transmission (TRANSMISSION WITH UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD DEBATE, 2010)

My doctor and I recently had a conversation about an HIV positive man, on medication, who was able to impregnate and HIV negative woman and she and the child were negative. I have several friends who are in magnetic partnerships and relationships...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Books that indicate HIV transmission is "very likely" between magnetic couples, even when the positively charged person is on effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) that has driven his HIV plasma viral load to... Read more »

Female to male transmission with undetectable viral loads.

What is known about the risk of female to male transmission from an HIV+ female taking antiretroviral medication, with a long history (10+ years) of undetectable viral loads? I'm trying to ascertain what is known about how risky unprotected sex...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,The estimated statistical per-episode risk of unprotected insertive penile-vaginal sex with a partner confirmed to be HIV positive is 5 per 10,000 exposures. If the poz-person is on effective combination antiretroviral drugs that have driven her... Read more »

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Viral load 334,000 to undetectable in 5 months

Posted by DJones, 3 Replies

Just wanted to give some people hope. In January 2009 I was diagnosed with AIDS and had a viral load of 334,000 and a TCell count of 106. In five months on Atripla I now am undetectable and have a TCell count of 284. So there is good news out... Read more »

hiv viral load

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

and Perhaps a Lifesaver?

By Paul Galatowitsch, Antonio Urbina and Timothy Law Snyder

Paul Galatowitsch is a health care consultant. Antonio Urbina is the director of clinical HIV and AIDS education at St. Vincent's Hospital. Timothy Law Snyder is a... Read more »

Is the Viral Load really undetectable.

Posted by Atheena, 1 Reply

I have submitted my question to "Ask the Experts" section. Just curious on how others are thinking about this.

Dr.....
I was wondering about how well we are able to track the viral load accurately. I watch my lab results, nothing changes, and... Read more »

33rd day elisa,cd4 count, and Viral load accurate?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hey all. Im the "oral DOES =HIV" guy. Well it looks like gmanbill and deb tex are right on. just one question. I went to the doctor and told him my symptoms. He checked me out from head to toe. He was just as concerned as I was, as I had swollen... Read more »

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