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"...Whereas the average free-floating viral load was 4,438 copies among those with detectable blood-based HIV, it was 51 among those with undetectable blood-based HIV". Does anyone think a viral load of 51 is enough to infect anyone? There have been few suggestions, let alone cases, of anyone getting infected from a viral load below 500 copies. The stuff about STIs is probably irrelevant too; for instance there was no association between having an STI and infecting anyone in PARTNER.
The statement, Whether or not the free-floating virus detected in the semen samples of those with undetectable blood-based viral loads is of high enough quantity and or quality to establish infection in a sexual partner wasn't explored by the researchers. Up until now, many researchers, especially citing the Swiss study, have said unprotected oral sex is relatively safe as long as the HIV+ partner is undetectable. You can't have it both ways, so which is it, risk or virtually NO risk?
The data is rather exciting.
The key point here-one left unanswered-is the importance of the "quality and quantity" of HIV in seminal fluid.The presence of HIV in semen,does not ipso facto make it infectious.Other studies,most noteably the Swiss study, have found transmission all but impossible with undectable blood viral loads.
There is a danger in using data that is undefined and counter productive in its scientific value. For every study you find that is improperly conducted there are many more that are flawed and unproductive. It is improper to arrive at a consensus without any truly empirical data. As with any situation of unknown quantity, it is always best to be safe, this type of unfounded data is a sad reminder of bias.
I'm glad to see so many are acutely aware of the facts and the background of such studies. Fact - the difference between infective hiv "cells" and non-infective has been known for a long time and each are easily identifiable. The failure to specifically identify if the cells are infectious must therefore be deliberate. The motive is of course the US's long standing eugenics programs which started pre WWII and encouraged, complemented and copied many of Hitler's eugenics efforts. Sheesh
ever wonder if its the christian right-wing groups that are sponsoring so-called 'studies' like this that are just designed to create more fear and to further stigmatize hiv infection? is there not enough of a divide for them already?
Tim Sanders
This is a two year old article. What is its intent after the MSM community has been told repeatedly that if you have been on ARV treatment for more than 10 years and have had no viral load for that period, your chances or acquiring OR transmitting the HIV virus are next to nil?
September 23, 2015 • Reno