What Is “U equals U”?
When a person living with HIV is taking HIV medication as prescribed, the HIV in their blood reduces to undetectable levels. This is called an Undetectable Viral Load (UVL). When a person is living with an UVL, they will experience greatly improved health outcomes and after 6 months or more of an UVL, they won’t transmit HIV to a partner who is HIV-negative.
HIV positive people, health and community organisations often talk about this ground-breaking news using the simple phrase “Undetectable = (equals) Untransmissible” or U=U.
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U= U has been endorsed throughout the world by public health and scientific bodies in the HIV field. In Australia it has been endorsed by the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM), Health Equity Matters, and the National Association of People Living With HIV Australia (NAPWHA). Meridian has also endorsed this position.
For more information about U=U, visit U=U: ASHM guidance for healthcare professionals | ASHM Health
The implications of U=U are highly significant.
For HIV Positive People
For many years, being HIV positive has carried stigma, mainly because the person with HIV being was perceived as a risk to others. Understanding U=U can greatly reduce anxiety about HIV transmission. It can empower people with HIV to be comfortable and confident to pursue a fulfilling sex life and secure relationships. Find out more: U = U The Institute of Many (TIM)
For HIV negative people
U=U removes the risk of HIV transmission from people living with HIV when they are using their treatment as prescribed and have an UVL.
U=U doesn’t protect you from for other STIs, so continue to use safer sex methods when you don’t know someone’s STI status.