CDC Officially Admits People With HIV Who Are Undetectable Can't Transmit HIV

[Philly50]

https://www.hivplusmag.com/undetectable/2017/9/27/breaking-cdc-officially-recognizes-undetectableuntransmittable-hiv-prevention

 

After hundreds of other experts and HIV organizations have already signed on to a pledge that recognizes that people living with HIV whose treatement has brought their viral load to an undetectable level — which is nearly half of all HIV-positive people in the U.S. — cannot transmit HIV to any other person, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has come out with the definitive statement on the subject.

 

In recognition of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the CDC memo stated, "On this day, we join together in taking actions to prevent HIV among gay and bisexual men and ensure that all gay and bisexual men living with HIV get the care they need to stay healthy." Gay and bisexual men, the CDC noted, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, with, "more than 26,000 gay and bisexual men received an HIV diagnosis in 2015, representing two-thirds of all new diagnoses in the United States, and diagnoses increased among Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men from 2010 to 2014."

 

Although these findings are certainly disappointing, the letter's key paragraph is not. Noting that research has shown that antiretroviral therapy both keeps people living with HIV healthy and has a preventative effect, the CDC writes, "When [antiretroviral treatment] results in viral suppression, defined as less than 200 copies/ml or undetectable levels, it prevents sexual HIV transmission."

 

In other words, having one's HIV suppressed to undetectable levels prevents transmission.

[jjkrkwood]

I wouldnt become too comfortable with THAT theory.

[Philly50]

I wouldnt become too comfortable with THAT theory.

 

I believe this is likely to be most comforting to folks who are in committed relationships. As far as anyone else goes...

[Cyd_StVincent]

This has been pretty common knowledge in the HIV world for 4-5 years now. I feel like the evidence is pretty damn solid.

[rvwnsd]

I'd call it an acknowledgement, not an admission. An organization like the CDC has to be very careful before making an official statement about a topic such as disease transmission. If they took the position that a person who has an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus and were wrong there would be holy hell to pay for all of the people who heard that and had unprotected sex with an HIV+, but undetectable, partner.

[MikeBiDude]

This has been pretty common knowledge in the HIV world for 4-5 years now. I feel like the evidence is pretty damn solid.

Someone reminded me today that this is considered “old news”

[+ dupontversDC]

There are some who still cling to notion the world is flat. Overwhelming scientific evidence doesn't convince everyone, unfortunately.

[+ nycman]

The big "if" here, and it's a big "IF", is if they are undetectable.

 

As the article states over 1/2 of the people with HIV are not able,

for whatever reason, to reach the level of suppression required to

be undetectable.

 

I agree it's mostly solace for those in long term relationships and

for those who are HIV + and concerned about transmitting it to

another person.

 

If you're negative and messing around with random men.....

50/50 ain't great odds.....trust no one.

 

I also agree it's an acknowledgement, not an admission. It's not

like the CDC has been on some holy crusade against HIV+ people.

[Nvr2Thick]

But for some, an undetectable status is as simple as a checkbox on your dating/hookup app profile.

[+ Eric Hassan]

I'd call it an acknowledgement, not an admission. An organization like the CDC has to be very careful before making an official statement about a topic such as disease transmission. If they took the position that a person who has an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus and were wrong there would be holy hell to pay for all of the people who heard that and had unprotected sex with an HIV+, but undetectable, partner.

 

+1 on "acknowledge"