Undetectable Viral Load And Transmission

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Articles

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 »

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 »

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

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 »

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 »

hiv transmission when viral load is undetectable

Dear DavidI have often seen and heard the following question:If a person's viral load is undetectable can that person infect someone else with HIV?The answer is always rather vague and runs as follows:'Even if a person's viral load is...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I actually don't really think we "need to know" more about this as much as you do. In medicine, as in love, there is no always and no never. There are too many variables: the amount of free and intracellular virus in genital... 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 »

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 »

viral load blips

Posted by ang89, 3 Replies

Has any one experienced a blip in viral load after remaining undetectable for a while? I would like to hear your experiences. I have been undetectable for almost one year, and at last test my vl was at 380. I am not really worried because I know... Read more »

cd4 or viral load

Posted by Lilly, 2 Replies

When starting to think about treatment, does either counts (cd4s or viral load) play a bigger role? My viral load has recently dropped, but so has my cd4's. My counts are all still at a comfortable level for me with no meds, but at the clinic... Read more »

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