Viral Load Undetectable And Hiv 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

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 »

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 »

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 »

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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 »

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 »

DNA PCR Vs Viral Load test

Posted by sunkyst, 1 Reply

Does anyone know the difference between a HIV DNA PCR test versus a viral load test that's performed on someone already confirmed positive, obviously one is about detecting the virus and the other how much but are the methods used essentially the... Read more »

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