The introduction of anti -retroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV-positive persons has radically improved the life-expectancy of a fatal condition.
At the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam, it was announced that the chance of any HIV-positive person with an undetectable viral load (under 200 copies/ml) transmitting the virus to a sexual partner is scientifically equivalent to zero.
This was the final results of the PARTNER 2 study.
The PARTNER 2 study recruited sero-discordant couples (one partner HIV-positive, one HIV-negative) at 75 clinical sites across 14 European countries.
“The study found no transmission of HIV between gay couple where the HIV-positive partner had an undetectable viral load of under 200 copies/ml – even though there were nearly 77,000 acts of condomless sex between them”
PARTNER 2 is a follow up study from PARTNER 1, which reported results in 2014. PARTNER 1 also showed that the risk of transmission is zero when an HIV-positive partner has an undetectable viral load, in a cohort of heterosexual and gay couples.
The PARTNER study is one of the most important studies about the risk of HIV transmission, as very few studies have quantified this risk. However, it is always best to use a condom during sex, as condoms are a safe and effective way to protect against STD /HIV transmission.
Moreover, it is also important for an HIV-positive person to test his/her HIV viral load regularly.
Cross Street Medical provides private and confidential HIV testing. Please call us or make an appointment. We also accept walk in appointments.
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