Thread by @aproko_doctor

A HIV positive person CAN HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX with a negative person and NOT TRANSFER the virus if the HIV positive person has succeeded in suppressing their viral load to undetectable levels.

Wait, What? How?
Thread!
#aprokodoctor

When a person has HIV, the virus starts to replicate inside the cells and suppresses the body's immune system so that the body can't fight it.
This suppression now means other infections can infect and succeed, when the body's immunity is very low, we have AIDS
#aprokodoctor

HIV drugs known as (ARV) antiretroviral therapy can stop the virus from dividing,

Now this DOES NOT CURE, as the virus still hides in reservoirs in the body, but cannot divide again. Thereby keeping the virus level to a bare minimum

As long as the positive person stays on ARV TREATMENT AND TAKES DRUGS AS PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR, and the viral load has been suppressed and cannot be detected for at least 6 MONTHS, the person is said to have DURABLY UNDETECTABLE viral load.

Now, Taking the drugs as prescribed is important so as to stay undetectable.
Drugs should NEVER BE STOPPED AND HAVE TO BE TAKEN DAILY!

Now when this person starts missing doses, the virus re-emerges from the reservoirs and begins to multiply again. It comes out from its hiding place
This newly dividing virus is infectious and can be transmitted because it can get to very high levels
#aprokodoctor

People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medications daily as prescribed and who achieve and then maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively NO risk of sexually transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner. Whether through vaginal, oral or anal sex.

This means that most people will need to be on treatment for 7 to 12 months to have a durably undetectable viral load. It is essential to take every pill every day to maintain durably undetectable status.

TILL THIS STATUS IS ACQUIRED, PROTECTED SEX IS REQUIRED FOR COUPLES

Stopping and re-starting treatment can cause drug resistance to develop, making that treatment regimen ineffective and limiting future treatment options.
Drugs may need to be changed and patient will need to stay on them longer to achieve such status
#aprokodoctor

Undetectable = Untransmittable
#aprokodoctor

If a person has decided to remain in a sexual relationship with a negative person, it is advised that the negative person be carried along.

Testing for viral loads should be done every three to four months to ensure that it is undetectable

While you're here. Would you consider being with a person whose HIV status differs from yours?

@threadreaderapp unroll

We advocate that PROTECTED SEX BE PRACTISED BY COUPLES WHO HAVE DIFFERENT HIV STATUSES, because of the challenges in Nigeria with
1. drug availabilty
2. Adherence to drug regimen
THIS IS NOT A CAMPAIGN FOR UNPROTECTED SEX, BUT A HEALTH INFORMATION CAMPAIGN.
YOU SHOULD KNOW

And it encourage people living with HIV to regularly take their medication.
TILL cure is available, Undetectable is the goal!