TasP
Treatment as Prevention
TasP refers to taking HIV medication to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. It's a highly effective option for people living with HIV to protect their partners. When someone with HIV takes medication as prescribed and achieves an undetectable viral load, the risk of sexual transmission becomes effectively zero.
Image from hiv.gov/tasp
How TasP Works
Consistent medication adherence and regular viral load tests are crucial for TasP.
Taking HIV Medication for Health and Prevention
Early Treatment is Key
Starting HIV medication (ART) as soon as possible after diagnosis is vital.
Viral Suppression
HIV medication reduces the amount of virus in the blood (viral load) to very low levels, keeping you healthy and preventing illness.
Undetectable Viral Load
When the viral load is undetectable in a standard lab test, it signifies successful viral suppression through consistent medication use.
Benefits of Undetectable Viral Load
- Living a long and healthy life
- Effectively zero risk of sexually transmitting HIV
Staying Undetectable
Maintaining a Routine
Regular check-ups and medication adherence are essential for staying undetectable.
HIV Persistence
Even with an undetectable viral load, HIV remains in the body. Consistent medication use is crucial to prevent the viral load from rising again.
Talk to Your Doctor
Discuss any difficulties with medication adherence with your healthcare provider.
TasP Effectiveness - Research Evidence
Large studies involving thousands of couples have shown no HIV transmissions when the HIV-positive partner was virally suppressed. This confirms that an undetectable viral load eliminates the risk of transmission through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Consult Your Doctor
Discuss HIV treatment options, medication choices, and viral load testing frequency with your healthcare provider.
Protection for Partners
If your viral load is detectable or you have trouble adhering to medication, condoms, safer sex practices, or PrEP for your partner can offer protection until you achieve undetectable viral load again.
TasP doesn't prevent other STDs. Discuss STD prevention methods with your doctor.
Open Communication with Partners
Disclose your HIV status to your sexual partners and discuss preferred prevention methods together. Some states have laws mandating HIV disclosure under certain circumstances.
Additional Benefits of HIV Treatment
- Reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
- May potentially reduce HIV transmission risk for people who inject drugs (more research needed).
- Always use new equipment and avoid sharing needles or syringes to prevent transmission, even with an undetectable viral load.