Does having a low HIV viral load actually prevent some transmission?

Question

I have heard that if someone has a low viral HIV load that they are less likely to spread the virus to their partner. Is this true?

Answer 1

HIV is not a game of possibilities and chances. Even with low viral load there is still enough amount of virus for transmission. This is not a good assumption to make. I have never came across a study that proves that. Why not having protected s*x instead of going through possibilities and probabilities. Even if low viral load reduces the chance, the chance is still there.  

Answer 2

That's true.

I'm HIV+ and my husband is negative. We had unprotected s*x a good 20-30 times in order for me to become pregnant and he wasn't infected. At this time my viral load was undetectable and my CD4 count was up around the 700 mark which is very good.

There's also a lesser transmission from female/male than male/female which also helps.

I definitely would suggest having unprotected s*x even if your viral load is undetectable because there is still that risk.

Take care. xo  

Answer 3

Undetectable Viral load which is very hard to achieve in some cases does make transmission more difficult but not impossible.

Answer 4

Your right..People who are on meds to control the virus are likely to have a low viral count which means that the virus is either non detectable or very low. If it's non detectable it doesn't mean they CANT pass it on or it's out of their system but it DOES mean that they are less likely to pass it on than someone who is not on meds to control the virus. Basicly when you have a low or non detectable viral load the virus isn't present or barely present at the moment