Person living with HIV on antiretroviral drug consistently, have decreased viral loads, that cannot be detected by standard test .Many studies like PARTNER, HPTN 052 , Opposites Attract which involves couples with zero HIV transmission when partner had undetectable viral load.
But it does not equal to “cured”. So treatment should never be stopped, as it can increase viral load. Regular monitoring of viral load is must to confirm status.
U=U only covers only HIV transmission, but affected individual can still transmit STIs. Breast feeding still has some risk too.
Its a big milestone for people living with HIV. But do you think it is enough to decrease stigma around HIV or more work is needed around drug resistance, treatment adherence and follow ups. Better ways for detecting advanced HIV should also be something to work on.
The statement “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U) is confirmed by extensive global studies showing that a person living with HIV who maintains an undetectable viral load through effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has virtually zero risk of sexually transmitting the virus to their partners. Large studies such as HPTN 052, PARTNER 1 & 2, and Opposites Attract, involving thousands of couples and tens of thousands of condomless sex acts, have found no HIV transmissions when the HIV-positive partner’s viral load was undetectable (usually below 200 copies/ml). This means HIV cannot be passed on during sex if viral load suppression is sustained by adherence to ART. Leading health organizations like the CDC and WHO endorse the U=U message, which has transformed HIV prevention and significantly reduced stigma. While the risk of transmission through blood or other means is extremely low with undetectable viral load, sexual transmission risk is effectively zero
“Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U) is one of the most powerful breakthroughs in HIV awareness.
It shows that with consistent ART, people living with HIV can not only protect their own health but also their partners — literally turning HIV from a “fear of transmission” disease into a manageable condition.
But here’s the key: science alone isn’t enough. Stigma still lingers because many people don’t know or don’t trust this fact. Education, counseling, and community-driven awareness are equally important to make U=U widely accepted.
Also, we can’t ignore challenges like drug resistance, treatment adherence, and regular monitoring — these are the pillars that make U=U a reality.
So yes, U=U is a milestone, but the real victory will be when society fully embraces it without discrimination.
It means that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load through proper treatment cannot sexually transmit the virus. Global studies have consistently confirmed zero risk of transmission in such cases. This breakthrough not only reduces stigma but also empowers individuals to seek testing, adhere to medication, and live healthy lives while preventing HIV spread effectively. It’s a major step in public health progress.
For the first time, WHO has stated in very clear language that zero risk of transmitting HIV is attainable through adherence to appropriate HIV treatment. In addition, healthcare staff should reinforce the undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) message.
Without doubt, this will reassure people living with HIV about treatment and adherence. It will also reduce hesitancy towards promoting U=U. Delivering clear messages about the benefits of treatment has been shown to encourage HIV testing, reduce stigma and improve HIV treatment outcomes.WHO recommends additional options and sample types of viral load testing technologies. It emphasizes that prequalified tests and sample types, such as dried blood spot, often enable much better access to viral load testing. National programmes should consider these options to ensure that viral load testing is widely available for all people living with HIV.This is crucial because routine viral load testing is still inaccessible for millions of people living with HIV, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is also important to provide CD4 cell count testing at HIV diagnosis and ART initiation for identifying advanced HIV testing
“Undetectable = Untransmittable” is a powerful milestone in HIV care, supported by global studies showing that people living with HIV on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus. This not only reduces stigma but also empowers patients to prioritize adherence to therapy and live healthier, stigma-free lives. It’s a game-changer for both science and society.
This concept is backed by large studies like HPTN 052, PARTNER 1 & 2, and Opposites Attract, which found zero cases of sexual transmission from people with undetectable viral loads.
