Question
My husband is undetectable, can he still infect me?
My husband tested HIV positive 3 1/2 years ago. He is on treatment and has been undetectable for the last 3 years. I tested negative at the time and have retested every year since and continue to be negative. We have used condoms for intercourse, but we would like to stop using them. What are the chances of my contracting the virus from him at this point if we did stop using condoms?
31 March 2011 • Related: All topics, HIV transmission
Answer
Thank you for your question.
The infectiousness of someone on stable treatment is an area that is being newly researched.There is some really interesting data suggesting that people on ARVs with stable undetectable viral loads are very unlikely to transmit HIV (1 in a 1000 chance). For more information you might find it useful to read this recent study or this similar question answered a few years ago. You may also find the Swiss Statement interesting as that states the risk of unprotected sex with someone on stable treatment and with an undetectable viral load for over 6 months as “negligible” and “similar to risks of daily life”.
Answer: Charlotte Walker