THE SCIENCE BEHIND U=U
HPTN 052
The 2011 HPTN 052 study was a randomized controlled trial involving 1,763 serodifferent couples (couples where one partner lives with HIV and the other does not). The study showed that, among couples where the partner living with HIV started treatment early and maintained an undetectable viral load, there were no cases of HIV transmission to the other partner during an average follow-up of 2,5 years.
Opposites Attract
The 2017 Opposites Attract study was a prospective study conducted among gay serodifferent couples, where the partner living with HIV was on antiretroviral therapy and had an undetectable viral load. No HIV transmission was observed during the follow-up period, while the couples had condomless sex.
PARTNER 1
and PARTNER 2
Afterwards, other studies confirmed these findings, including the PARTNER1 and PARTNER2 studies, published in 2016 and 2019, respectively..
Within these two prospective studies, 1330 serodifferent couples (heterosexual couples in PARTNER1, and gay couples in PARTNER2) were involved and 134,088 occurrences of condomless sex were observed, as the partner living with HIV regularly took antiretroviral therapy to maintain their viral load undetectable.
In both studies, there was NO HIV transmission from the partner living with HIV to the other.
The clinical trials mentioned above, along with other scientific studies, have provided overwhelming evidence that an undetectable viral load, maintained through effective antiretroviral therapy, prevents HIV transmission.
This scientific breakthrough led to the conception of the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), message, which can and must have a significant impact in promoting HIV prevention and eliminating HIV-related stigma.
Early HIV diagnosis is essential to start treatment rapidly and reduce the risk of transmission. It is essential to promote voluntary HIV testing and that services are accessible, free, anonymous and non-judgmental.
Getting evidence-based information about HIV to spread knowledge and debunk myths about HIV is the first step for eliminating stigma and prejudice. Let’s promote awareness about HIV and its prevention!
Every little gesture matters and can have a significant impact. Even with individual actions, we can help create an HIV-free world, by promoting prevention, testing, early diagnosis, and by eliminating stigma against people living with HIV.
We strongly believe in the power of knowledge.We could get to a world where people living with HIV are no longer subject to stigma and discrimination. Join us in the "U=U impossibile sbagliare" campaign and let's spread this message together!