TREATMENT
What is ART?
HIV treatment, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), involves taking a combination of HIV medicines to control the virus and prevent it from damaging the immune system. ART does not cure HIV but allows people with HIV to live long and healthy lives and reduces the risk of transmission to others. The primary goal of ART is to reduce the viral load (the amount of HIV in the blood) to an undetectable level.
How it Works?
ART stops HIV from replicating (making copies of itself), which helps to reduce the amount of HIV in the body and keeps the immune system healthy.
What does being
Undetectable mean?
When the viral load is reduced to a level that is undetectable by standard lab tests, this is referred to as an undetectable viral load.
What are the benefits of an undetectable viral load?
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People with HIV who have an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives.
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They cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. This is known as undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U).
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It also significantly reduces the risk of transmission through other routes, like sharing needles.
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No cure, but effective treatment:
For more information on U=U:
Prevention Access Campaign Resource Page
NC Department of Health U=U Resource Page