The science is clear: with HIV, undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U)
In recent years, an overwhelming body of clinical evidence has firmly established the HIV Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) concept as scientifically sound, say officials from the National Institutes of Health. U=U means that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load—the amount of HIV in the blood—by taking and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. Read more about U=U
What is HIV, What is AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus weakens a person’s ability to fight infections and disease. People with HIV are said to have AIDS when they develop certain infections or diseases or when their CD4 (T-cell) count is less than 200. CD4 count is determined by a blood test in a doctor’s office.
Having HIV does not always mean that you have AIDS. It can take many years for people with the virus to develop AIDS. With the medications available today, it is possible to have a normal lifespan. There are ways to help people stay healthy and live longer.
How Does HIV Cause Illness?
HIV attacks and destroys a type of white blood cell called a CD4 cell, commonly called the T-cell. This cell’s main function is to fight disease. When a person’s CD4 cell count gets low, they are more susceptible to illnesses.
What Is AIDS?
AIDS is the disease stage of HIV infection. When the immune system CD4 cells drop to a very low level, a person’s ability to fight infection is lost. In addition, there are several conditions that occur in people with HIV infection with this degree of immune system failure — these are called AIDS-defining illnesses.
According to the CDC, 1,051,875 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with HIV since the disease was first diagnosed in 1981. They also estimate that 583,298 have died from the AIDS in the U.S.
How Do People Get HIV?
A person may get HIV when an HIV-positive person’s body fluids (blood, semen, fluids from the vagina or breast milk) enter his or her bloodstream. The virus can enter the blood through linings in the mouth, anus, or sex organs (the penis and vagina), or through broken skin. If the person is HIV positive and undetectable HIV is are not transmittable to their partner *Undetectable = Untransmutable.
All HIV positive people can spread HIV. A person who is HIV positive can feel OK and still give the virus to others. Pregnant women with HIV may also can give the virus to their babies but this doesn’t always happen.
- Sharing a needle.
- Having unprotected sex with an infected person is is in detectable status.
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Some people get flu-like symptoms within a month after they have been infected. These symptoms often go away within a week to a month. A person can have HIV for many years before feeling ill.
As the disease progresses, people may experience yeast infections on the tongue (thrush), and may develop severe vaginal yeast infections or pelvic inflammatory disease. Shingles is often seen early on, often before someone is diagnosed with HIV. Note: AIDS related pain due to neuro-toxic medications like DDc, DDI & d4t
If there is something going on with you that is unusual, please check with your doctor.[/list]
Today, there are a variety of treatments that, when used in combination can significantly slow down and in some cases stop altogether, the progression of HIV infection.
- After HIV infection is confirmed, your doctor will start you on a drug regimen consisting of several drugs; combinations of different types of anti-HIV drugs sometimes are called HAART, for highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HIV is a kind of virus called a retrovirus).
- Taking HAART therapy is very manageable yet isn’t necessarily easy. These drugs must be taken at the right time, every single day. Also, a range of side effects may occur, including: diarrhea, nausea, rash, vivid dreams, or abnormal distribution of body fat. And, especially if medications are taken incorrectly or inconsistently, the virus can mutate, or change, into a strain resistant to treatment. The good news is that there are now several HIV medications that are only taken once a day. If there is resistant virus, however, these may not work and other medication options must be used. If your disease has progressed to AIDS, your treatment may also include drugs to combat and prevent certain infections.
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HIV Long term Survivors Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/466278376873515/
- Fight Aids Awareness: https://www.facebook.com/HIV.AIDS.AWARENESS?ref=br_tf
- Face Aids: https://www.facebook.com/faceaids?group_id=0
- NIH.gov
- NIAID.gov
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HIV Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), or Treatment as Prevention
In recent years, an overwhelming body of clinical evidence has firmly established the HIV Undetectable=Untransmittable, or U=U, concept as scientifically sound. U=U means that people with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load—the amount of HIV in the blood—by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) daily as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others.
