Having HIV can affect people’s feelings about sex in many different ways.

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Some people become anxious about passing HIV on, or feel less desirable. While some people go off sex altogether, others need it more. It may be more important than ever to feel wanted or to have moments of intimacy and pleasure.

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It’s worth knowing that:

• Most people living with HIV continue to have sex and form relationships.

• If you use condoms properly, you will not pass HIV on to a sexual partner.

• If you are taking HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load, you will not pass HIV on to a sexual partner.

• People living with HIV can have children who don’t have HIV.

 

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Undetectable = Untransmittable

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Effective HIV treatment prevents the sexual transmission of HIV.

Several large studies have proven that people living with HIV who take HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load do not pass on HIV to their sexual partners, even when condoms aren’t used.

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This is because HIV treatment reduces the amount of HIV in the body. If you have an ‘undetectable viral load’, this means that there is not enough HIV to pass it on to someone else.

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This is what is meant when people say that “undetectable = untransmittable”. This is sometimes shortened to U=U.

When you have had an undetectable viral load for at least six months you can rely on this to protect your sexual partners. Before this, other prevention methods (like condoms) should be used. This is because during the first few months of taking treatment you may still be able to pass HIV on.

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Medical experts and organisations around the world agree that U=U. They provide evidence that all people with a sustained undetectable viral load (for at least six months) and good adherence to HIV treatment can be advised that there is no risk of onward transmission of HIV to their sexual partners.

 

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Putting U=U into practice

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“Undetectable = Untransmittable” applies equally to men and women, to heterosexuals and gay people.

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It is as relevant for anal sex as it is for vaginal sex. It applies whether or not condoms are being used.

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It’s also relevant if you’d like to have a child with a partner who does not have HIV. Once you’ve been undetectable for six months, you can have unprotected sex in order to conceive, without worrying about passing HIV on.

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Many people living with HIV say that learning about “undetectable = untransmittable” is very powerful. It can make sex more relaxed and enjoyable. It might make a difference to how you feel about yourself.

But it might be new information for your sexual partners. It may take some time for them to understand and trust what they are being told.

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Condoms and contraception

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Using condoms is also a good way to stop HIV from being passed on. Condoms prevent body fluids containing HIV from passing from one person to another. Using a water- or silicone-based lubricant makes condoms even safer.

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When condoms are used consistently and correctly, they are very effective. Nonetheless, the most reliable way to prevent HIV from being passed on is having an undetectable viral load.

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Condoms will also protect you from other sexually transmitted infections, which an undetectable viral load cannot do. Using condoms and having an undetectable viral load is a good way to take care of both your health and that of your partners. You can also ask your clinic to give you a regular sexual health check-up.

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If you need contraception, you need to tell your doctor about your HIV treatment. Some anti-HIV drugs can interact with the pill and other hormonal contraceptives. Your doctor can help you choose a contraceptive which you can use alongside your HIV treatment.

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Transmission facts

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If you are taking HIV treatment and have had an undetectable viral load for at least six months, you don’t need to worry about passing HIV on.

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But if you’re not yet at that stage or sometimes forget to take your pills, it’s good to be clear about when there is and when there isn’t a risk of passing HIV on to someone else.

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Anal and vaginal sex are the most common ways that HIV is passed on.

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The risk of transmitting HIV during other sexual activities is much, much lower. Oral sex is considered to be very low risk.

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It's impossible for HIV to be passed on through kissing, cuddling or stroking.

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There is no risk of passing on HIV during normal social contact. No-one has ever caught HIV from:

• sharing household items like cups, plates or cutlery,

• using the same toilet, or

• breathing the same air as someone with HIV.