Can someone with undetectable viral load transmit HIV?

QDear Doctor, 

Is it true that when people are on ARVs for a long time and have undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit HIV? Is it also true that when tested they turn out HIV-negative? 

 

ADear Elijah,

One of the cardinal goals of antiretroviral therapy is to suppress the virus maximally in the body of whoever is taking the drugs. When the HIV is suppressed, the immune system gets time to heal, which is evidenced by an increase in the CD4 count of such individuals. 

 

Even clinically, such people look healthy. When people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are on ARVs have undetectable viral loads, their capacity to transmit the virus is also greatly reduced, though it is not true that they cannot transmit the disease at all. 

 

Secondly, when such people are tested for HIV using the antibody tests, they will still test HIV-positive. So, by using ARVs widely and correctly, we contribute greatly towards reducing the numbers of new HIV infections, in addition to reducing the number of AIDS-related deaths.

 

With the advent of ARVs, fewer PLHIV will die of AIDS though they remain HIV-positive, but this can only be achieved when we have universal access to ARVs and those taking them, do so with strict adherence.