HIV treatments, in the form of anti-retrovirals (ARVs), are used by folks that are both HIV-negative and HIV-positive as a way of controlling HIV and reducing HIV infections in the community.

The science is clear. When a person living with HIV is effectively on treatment and has an undetectable HIV viral load, they can’t transmit HIV through sex.

Times have changed. And this is great news! These days, people working around HIV are emphasizing that the use of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) is one of the most important parts of the global response to HIV. People that are HIV-positive take antiretrovirals for their health, which reduces viral load and transmission as well. Some HIV-negative folks are also taking ARVs in the form of PrEP or PEP as a way of reducing their chances of getting HIV.

Why is treatment for HIV-positive people a form of prevention? ARV treatment can reduce someone with HIV’s viral load, and when a person’s viral HIV load is undetectable research conclusively proves they can’t transmit HIV through sex. When more people have low or undetectable viral loads, that means less HIV transmission.

HIV-negative folks also take HIV treatments to help them from getting an HIV infection, either as an ongoing treatment (PrEP), or after a possible exposure to HIV (PEP). In recent years, more evidence has shown that the use of ARVs by HIV-negative people has a potential to reduce overall HIV infections in communities. Although there are still some misunderstandings about HIV in communities where prevalence is higher, more people are recognizing that the use of HIV treatment plays an extremely important role in HIV prevention across the board.

Check out CATIE’s fact sheet about treatment, including its use as prevention, and about viral load and transmission if you’re interested in learning more.

This section was adapted, with permission, from The Sex You Want Website.
You can learn more about where we got this information from at: CATIE
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