HIV: Undetectable equals untransmittable

In an effort to reduce HIV-related discrimination and stigma, the National Ministry of Health continues to promote the “Undetectable = Untransmissible (I=I)” initiative, a campaign that aims to educate people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment and those who are undetectable The situation of people living with HIV. Viral load does not spread the virus to other people through sex.

It is said to be “undetectable” when, through correct adherence to antiretroviral treatment, viral replication is prevented and its amount in the blood is reduced to levels undetectable by conventional tests. Reaching this status does not mean the virus has been eliminated. When a person living with HIV on treatment maintains an undetectable viral load for at least six months, it is impossible to transmit the virus through sexual intercourse.

This initiative is based on solid scientific evidence and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, CDC), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the International Association of AIDS Caregivers (IAPAC), the United Nations AIDS Joint Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and others.

“The national health sector prioritizes a comprehensive prevention strategy aimed at guaranteeing universal rights, taking into account the particularities of each person, their wishes, choices and social situation. The State implements rapid HIV tests for timely diagnosis, diagnostic confirmation of the virus and universal access to people living with HIV, maintaining its role as the main guarantor of access to health and reducing the stigma of people living with HIV. The Health Portfolio, led by Carla Vizzotti, stressed: “Anti-reversal Access to treatment for the virus, provision of first-line drugs in line with national and international recommendations, and follow-up studies to confirm that the person is undetectable. “

Currently, 65,000 people living with HIV in Argentina receive medications from the state, which even guarantees treatment for those without health insurance and those who do not receive medications from social work.

“These actions reaffirm the National Ministry of Health’s commitment to reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination and now add to it the upholding of the I=I concept as a social, political and scientific tool that guarantees the right to information and promotes people’s quality of life and Healthy,” they stressed.

Key concepts to remember:

• Antiretroviral treatment can effectively control the infection and significantly improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
• Daily antiretroviral treatment prevents the virus from replicating and reduces the amount of virus in the blood to levels undetectable by traditional tests. This is called an undetectable viral load and does not mean the virus has been eliminated.
• Most people living with HIV will have undetectable viral loads after six months if they take effective antiretroviral treatment as agreed by their health team.

• Undetectable = Untransmittable (I=I) means that a person on antiretroviral therapy with an undetectable viral load for at least six months cannot transmit HIV to other HIV-negative people through sexual intercourse.
• Several scientific entities around the world, including the World Health Organization, support the I=I initiative.
• I=I is a tool to reduce stigma for people living with HIV.
• People living with HIV who have undetectable viral loads can still contract and transmit other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis through sex without condoms.
• Proper and consistent use of condoms during sexual relations is essential to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
• I=I does not apply to transmission via blood or breast milk.
• The I=I concept refers exclusively to sexual transmission: currently available scientific evidence does not allow inference to perinatal transmission (during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding) or transmission through the use of syringes or other unsafe sharp materials.