Opinion
Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
I know that a person living with HIV who is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV. So, I was frustrated by a recent study that was causing people to worry.
The study, presented at the American Urological Association Meeting, showed that there can be HIV RNA and DNA in the semen of a person with HIV whose virus is undetectable in the blood. That’s been known for a long time, but the report made it sound like it was revolutionary. And the researcher made it sound like it was something that people living with HIV and their partners need to worry about.
Don’t worry. It’s true that HIV RNA or DNA may be present in semen especially in the first year that someone is on treatment. But HIV RNA and DNA aren’t infectious. They’re only genetic material, and not the whole virus. You need the whole virus in order for HIV to infect a living cell. It’s like finding a human leg on the ground and thinking it can walk. You need the whole body, not just a leg to walk.
Dr. Carl W. Dieffenbach, Director of the Division of AIDS at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, explained the sperm situation recently in ImStillJOsh.
“We have known for decades that HIV genetic material exists in bodily fluids of those living with HIV who are virally suppressed. On its own, HIV genetic material, RNA or DNA, is not infectious. It is not ‘whole virus,’ which is needed for HIV to infect a living cell.”
Another study was published in Clinical Infectious Disease and reported in Infectious Disease Advisor as “HIV RNA Replication in Semen Occurs During Antiretroviral Therapy” The headlines sound like the study is about HIV replication in semen. The journalist made it sound like new and scary information for people with HIV.
Don’t worry. The headline is misleading. The study is not about viral replication in semen. It’s an important study that’s looking at the time it takes for people to get to undetectable viral loads using different types of treatment. It looks at HIV RNA in the testes, which shows evidence of the virus. But, most importantly, HIV RNA is not infectious.
If your HIV is undetectable and you stay on your meds, you don’t need to worry.
So do whatever you’d like with your semen or your partner’s semen. It’s safe, and so is your undetectable partner.
Bruce Richman is the founding executive director of Prevention Access Campaign where he launched the Undetectable = Untransmittable campaign. He focuses on mobilizing other people living with HIV, allies and researchers to change the outdated and stigmatizing narratives about HIV transmission risk. Bruce was diagnosed in 2003 and became undetectable shortly after starting treatment in 2010. When he learned that meant he could not transmit HIV, Bruce committed to sharing the groundbreaking news to combat HIV stigma and improve the social, sexual, and reproductive lives of people with HIV. Bruce received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
The government failed on mpox. Ritchie Torres's new bill addresses that
April 18 2024 1:21 PM
On Anal Sex Day, crack up with The Bottom's Digest
April 18 2024 10:22 AM
Todrick Hall has long supported the communities he comes from
April 17 2024 12:02 PM
Our May/June issue of Plus is here!
April 17 2024 12:00 PM
Giselle Byrd is taking center stage — and helping others do the same
April 10 2024 2:24 PM
Discover endless fun at The Pride Store: Games & electronics for all ages
April 09 2024 4:25 PM
Mean Girls' Daniel Franzese on playing an HIV+ character
April 09 2024 3:57 PM
HIV-positive Air Force, Navy servicemembers victorious in lawsuit
April 09 2024 3:02 PM
Unlocking a new level of beauty with Dr Botanicals' ethical skincare line
April 08 2024 3:40 PM
Unleash your wild side with The Pride Store’s beginner’s guide to kink
April 08 2024 3:35 PM
Why are mpox cases in the U.S. on the rise again?
April 08 2024 1:30 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
Adult entertainment icons Derek Kage & Cody Silver lead fight for free speech
April 03 2024 3:06 PM
LGBTQ+ patients twice as likely to face discrimination: survey
April 02 2024 4:57 PM
Spring into The Pride Store’s top new arrivals for April
April 02 2024 4:39 PM
Nashville PD Must Pay HIV-Positive Man Denied a Job
April 01 2024 6:22 PM
Common has a message on how to foster self-love
March 29 2024 7:33 PM
Listen to Dr. Levine: Take syphilis seriously
March 28 2024 6:40 PM
Breaking boundaries in gender-free fashion with Stuzo Clothing
March 27 2024 2:15 PM