In all but 2 of these 15 cases, the viral load rebounded within a year of treatment interruption. In one case, the child maintained an undetectable viral load for over three years. In the other case, the child, who is now a young woman aged 18.5 years, remains virally undetectable to this day.

Is Undetectable the same as negative?

In the world of HIV, is being undetectable the new “HIV negative”? The virus has not been eliminated even though its not detectable. And yet, at an undetectable level, the concentration of the virus is so minute it doesnt pack the same wallop as an untethered, rapidly multiplying HIV viral load. HIV is the culprit.

Can you donate blood if youre undetectable?

“The concept of undetectable equals untransmittable for sexual contact is very important from a public health perspective, but may not apply to donated blood because a transfused unit of blood is a much larger volume than would occur from body fluid exposure during sex,” Custer said.

Can an undetectable person test negative?

Antibodies are still present in individuals living with HIV—even people who have suppressed their viral load. That means people living with HIV will still test positive for HIV on an antibody HIV test even if their viral load is undetectable.