U=U

U=U is an informational campaign about how effective HIV medications are in preventing sexual transmission of HIV.

U=U stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable.

This means, if a person with HIV is on HIV meds (antiretroviral therapy, or ART) with a regularly undetectable HIV viral load, the virus cannot be transmitted to a sex partner.

If you have HIV: take your HIV meds every day! This is important for your personal health and to prevent HIV transmission.

Can HIV be prevented?

To reduce the risk of getting HIV, people who are sexually active should:

  • Use a condom every time they have sex – vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
  • Get tested for HIV.
  • Reduce your number of sexual partners.
  • Get tested and treated for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Having a STD increases the risk of HIV infection.
  • If you’re at high risk of getting infected, consider taking a medicine every day called PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Abstinence. Abstinence means not having oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and pregnancy.

Other ways to lower your risk:

  • Do not inject drugs or share any kind of needle.
  • Do not share razors or other personal objects that may touch blood.
  • Do not touch anyone else's blood from a cut or sore.
  • If you drink alcohol: drink in moderation and don’t have sex if you’re drunk or high on drugs.

Drinking alcohol affects your brain making it hard to think clearly. When you’re drunk, you may be more likely to make poor decisions that put you at risk - like having sex without a condom. If you drink alcohol: drink in moderation and don’t have sex if you’re drunk or high on drugs.