Question
Can I pass on HIV if I am undetectable?
28 April 2023. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed.
I’ve been on Biktarvy for 4 Months and I’m undetectable. Recently I had unprotected sex and now I’m scared. What’s the odds of me passing it on?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
There is no risk of passing on HIV.
As you are on treatment with an undetectable viral load there is no risk of transmission.
This is explained by U=U. It means that when you are on treatment with a suppressed viral load, you cannot pass on HIV. Even without a condom there is no risk.
Josh.
Hi Ace, your doctor is right in that this is a very minimal risk exposure.
As your kidney function had been tested, there is not going to be a problem with a 28 day course of PEP.
This treatment is often more a problem when people already have issues with their kidneys. In these cases an alternative treatment would be used. 28 days is not long enough to cause any problems with your health.
Hi, I had sex with a bar girl with condom however I don’t think she pinched the tip of the condom when putting it on. I heard that the condom is prone to tearing if air is not pinched out.
I can’t actually remember if the condom actually tore or not.. but it was on throughout the entire activity.
I went to the clinic to seek advise and the doctor said pep is not needed if a condom was used, he wasn’t too concerned about the air at the tip of the condom as well.
In the end he did allow me to start pep, after doing a blood test to check my HIV status and kidney function.
I’m quite concerned about how toxic pep is to my kidneys and liver during this 28 days.. currently I have taken 2 doses so far..
Would you advise I continue or stop treatment?
Thank you
Hi Emma, these are not signs of HIV. For more information please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi Support
Pls consider my post of 23 July where I opted to stop pep and I did stopped as advised after taking a total of 18 pills. 7 days before touching a woman in the manner described and 11 days after touching. I didn’t insert but put my penis tip on her tip with condom. Immediately condom broke, I changed it. Rolled on second condom which broke again and I changed also until the 3rd one into which I ejaculated. She had wet vulva before condom break each time but the tip thrust were usually withdrawn immediately condoms broke. But for about one week now, a month after the event up till now, my ears is like water trapped when no water entered. My skin especially fingers tips pinche. The only available test 3rd gen negative 33 days after the event and 23 days after stopping PEP. This my skin and finger and toe tips pinching is a concern. The ear pressure is easing out. No rashes, no temp, no fever. Could the TLD have delayed the tests or is the one causing the skin issue . No anxiety until today That I’m getting concerned cus ear hurt occasionally now