HIV: Undetectable Equals Untransmittable
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness looks forward to a province where people living with HIV lead long and healthy lives by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) that keep the virus undetectable.
HIV treatment is safer and more effective than ever. ART does not cure HIV infection or remove the virus from your body, but, when taken as prescribed, you can have sex and not worry about spreading HIV to your partner or unborn child. This is known as “undetectable equals untransmittable” or “U=U.”
Our free services focus on improving HIV testing access across the province and referring people to care. We encourage you to visit one of our primary healthcare facilities and talk to a trained healthcare worker about the best options for you.
U=U stands for
Undetectable Equals Untransmittable
Undetectable is when someone living with HIV is taking their medication as prescribed and able to reach a point where the virus is suppressed to such low levels in the body it cannot be detected on standard tests. An individual still needs to continue taking their medication to remain undetectable.
Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) is a breakthrough in HIV care and established that someone living with HIV who is undetectable cannot transmit the virus to a partner through condomless sexual intercourse.
Viral load
Viral load is the amount of HIV in the blood.
A viral load test shows how much of the virus is in the body by measuring how many particles of HIV are in a blood sample.
The results are given as the number of copies of HIV per millilitre of blood – for example 200 copies/ml.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it mean to be undetectable?
HIV medication (antiretroviral treatment, or ART) works by reducing the amount of the virus in the blood to undetectable levels. This means the levels of HIV are so low that the virus cannot be passed on. This is called having an undetectable viral load or being undetectable. It can take up to six months for some people to become undetectable from when they start treatment.
- How variable is an undetectable viral load? Can this change over time?
HIV specialists have decades of experience managing ART and are confident that you can remain uninfectious if you:
- take your medication every day as prescribed, and
- have your viral load checked regularly.
- If someone has an undetectable viral load, can they stop using condoms?
If you have an undetectable viral load, you can have sex without a condom and you will not transmit HIV. But that does not necessarily mean you should stop using condoms. Having an undetectable viral load does not mean you are protected from getting other sexually transmitted infections. If you want to protect yourself from other STIs, you should still use condoms.
HIV ends with me
If you do not know your HIV status, get tested. HIV tests are fast and easy, and they are also free at our primary healthcare facilities. A positive test is an opportunity to treat HIV, stay healthy and prevent HIV transmission. A negative test gives you the chance to discuss ways to stay negative, such as using condoms or taking daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
If you do not have HIV, PrEP can help you avoid it. PrEP is a safe and effective daily pill that prevents HIV. If you have HIV that is undetectable, you cannot pass it through sex, even if you do not use condoms. Condoms can still help protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.
