How can you tell if someone is undetectable?

General tips to consider when disclosing to family and friends:

1. Keep what you say as simple and as direct as possible.
2. Tell them you have something important to tell them.
3. Offer to answer any questions they may have.
4. Let them know they don’t have to worry about your health.

How long does it take for HIV to be undetectable?

After starting HIV treatment, viral load usually falls rapidly. Within three to six months, most people’s viral load has become undetectable.

Can an undetectable person test negative?

An undetectable viral load is where antiretroviral treatment (ART) has reduced your HIV to such small quantities that it can no longer be detected by standard blood tests. People living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on through sex. Being undetectable does not mean your HIV is cured.

What level of viral load is undetectable?

When copies of HIV cannot be detected by standard viral load tests, an HIV-positive person is said to have an “undetectable viral load.” For most tests used clinically today, this means fewer than 50 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood (<50 copies/mL).

What is the best time of day to take ARVs?

“Take twice a day”means you take the first dose early in the day and the second dose about 12 hours later. So, if you take the first dose at 8 o’clock in the morning (8:00 a.m.), take the second dose at 8 o’clock in the evening (8:00 p.m.).

Can a person on ARVs test negative?

HIV self-tests (home tests) frequently give false-negative results when used by people with diagnosed HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy, with implications for the messaging around self-testing, according to a South African study presented at the 10th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS …

How do I know if my HIV viral load is undetectable?

The only way to know if your viral load is undetectable is through an HIV viral load or HIV RNA test that your doctor or health care provider can do. You will need to have your blood drawn for this test, and the test will determine the level of virus in your blood that day.

What are the risks of passing on HIV if I’m undetectable?

There is no risk of passing on HIV if your doctor has confirmed that you are undetectable, you continue taking your treatment and attend regular viral load monitoring appointments. Undetectable = Untransmittable. Being undetectable isn’t a constant state and if you stop taking your medication then your viral load will go back up again.

Can undetectable HIV be transmitted through sex?

CDC Agrees That Person with Undetectable HIV Cannot Transmit the Virus. The agency has adopted the widely accepted position that an HIV-positive person with an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus through unprotected sex.

What happens if I’m undetectable?

If you’re undetectable, you will still test positive for HIV. This is expected, and doesn’t mean that your treatment is not working. Every year, San Francisco AIDS Foundation conducts more than 15,000 HIV tests. People from all over the Bay Area—even all over the world—access our services find out their HIV status.