Transmission of HIV is said to be less likely after unprotected sex with an HIV-positive partner who is being treated with antiviral drugs than unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person who is unaware of his infection. Is this statement correct?
Answer
There are convincing indications that a strictly followed treatment, in which the HIV virus becomes undetectable in the blood, greatly reduces the risk of sexual transmission. However, it cannot (yet) be considered proven that the risk is zero. In addition, it must be realized that the treatment can lose its effect if it is not strictly followed and resistance of the virus occurs or if a new infection with a resistant virus occurs.
The advice is therefore to permanently avoid unprotected sex, even if the virus is completely suppressed, and to use condoms.
Answered by
Prof. dr. Dr Bruno Verhasselt
Microbiology and Immunology
http://www.ugent.be
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