Does HIV medication make you undetectable?
HIV medicine can also make your viral load so low that a standard lab test can't detect it. This is called having an undetectable viral load. Almost everyone who takes HIV medicine as prescribed can achieve an undetectable viral load, usually within 6 months after starting treatment.
What level of HIV is considered undetectable?
"Undetectable" is now commonly defined as having fewer than 20 copies/mL because a lot of lab tests can now "detect" HIV at that level. And " viral load suppression" is usually defined as having fewer than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood (copies/mL).
How do you know if your HIV undetectable?
When copies of HIV cannot be detected by standard viral load tests, an HIV-positive person is said to have an “undetectable viral load.” For most tests used clinically today, this means fewer than 50 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood (<50 copies/mL).
Should I take PrEP if my partner is undetectable?
PrEP and/ or condoms are not necessary to prevent HIV when the sexual partner living with HIV has an undetectable viral load. Having an undetectable viral load, using PrEP, and using condoms are all HIV prevention strategies that people can choose to use alone or in combination.
What happens if you take ARVs while negative?
“When a HIV-positive person is given ARVs, it boosts their immunity, but when a HIV-negative person takes them, it just undermines their immunity and interferes with their body organs.” He, however, notes that some of the drugs administered to patients target viruses specifically, and not the body system.
Is Undetectable the same as negative?
Being HIV positive and having an undetectable viral load would be considered the same thing as being HIV negative. Instead, we would frown upon those who don't know their status. Being HIV positive and having an undetectable viral load would be accepted, especially within the gay community.