Q and A

Question

Do I need PEP if my partner is on treatment?

Should I take PEP medication when my partner has been on HIV treatment for three years?

Answer

Hi, how are you?

Do you know your partners viral load? Being on treatment means their viral load will be suppressed.

If their viral load is below 200 there is no risk of transmission. This is called U=U. This means that when on treatment and someone has a viral load below 200, it is impossible for HIV to be transmitted via sex.

Being on treatment for 3 years means that HIV is being suppressed. Even without knowing their viral load, this would be considered low risk. In the UK PEP would not be advised.

Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Josh.