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(continued again) the virus can mutate, and the viral load will rise again. Being undetectable is a good thing ofcourse - it means our medications are working and keeping the virus in check! It also makes it much less likely to transmit the virus. However, it is MY opinion that a "Undetectable" result does NOT guarantee ZERO risk. If someone wants to "Bareback" that's their choice - I'm just passing on info thats all.
(continued) So undetectable does NOT mean non existent. Also, HIV lurks in other bodily fluids (like Semen), as well as our organs. Since viral load test measure BLOOD only, it does NOT tell you how much HIV is present in those other fluids. CD4 and Viral loads can and do fluctuate (which is why you get bloodwork done every 3 or 4 months), so just because you are undetectable NOW doesn't guarantee you will be 3 or 4 months from now. If you miss enough doses or stop taking your meds, the virus
Natguyhere1 - what makes no sense is the way you worded your post: "and but in the blood" ??? Were you trying to say "and NOT in the blood"? If so, then you obviously did not understand the point of my post. Viral load test measure the amount of HIV copies in BLOOD. When the amount goes below what the test can read ACCURATELY a undetectable result follows. There can still be a few copies in the blood, but so few that the test simply can't get a exact count of how many.
This "Mistake" in our communities is life threatening. While you post percentages on your head people are demanding tattoos on the genitals of HIV positive people. your confusing the whole issue. U = U in your country mean Undetectable = Untransmitable . Here it means Uneducated = Unsafe. Come see us and stand by your comments. I for one want to know what you stand for. The word mistake is leaping out at me Come Bruce lets see you take on some of these African sisters. Tell cape town it ok.
How could there possibly be HIV in semen and but in the blood. That makes no sense whatsoever.
(cont.. again!) So just to reiterate: 1) undetectable does NOT mean Absolute Zero! It is a measurement based on a Viral Load Test, and if your viral load is below the amount that the test can READ ACCURATELY, (currently 20 copies, previously 50, years ago 400!) you get a undetectable result. There can still be a few copies in your blood. 2) Viral Load test measure BLOOD. They do NOT measure Semen or Vaginal secretions that can potentially transmit HIV. 3) Undetectable does NOT = Absolute Zero!
(cont) Is 10 copies enough to transmit HIV? I don't know. I do know that a undetectable viral load is a measurement of BLOOD. It does NOT measure the amount of HIV in SEMEN. (or Vaginal secretions for example) So if someone has a undetectable viral load does that mean that their SEMEN is also undetectable? I don't think so, because the test measures BLOOD. So if you don't use protection you do so at your own risk because SEMEN transmits HIV too - not just BLOOD!
Londonbottom
Yes, but, when it comes to casual sex 1. HIV is not the only STI 2. I can see a condom.
March 10, 2018