This study confirmed that the risk of transmission is also extremely rare even for individuals with suppressed viral load (less than 1000 copies/mL). The findings were concurrently published alongside a WHO policy update on viral load testing guidelines. Study limitations included that the definition of low viral load is not unanimous across studies. In addition, investigators would need larger sample sizes for more precise estimates, the findings do not apply to the HIV transmission between a mother and child, and especially because transmission would look different from sexual transmission methods. Viral load testing using lab-based plasma sample methods is effective, but not feasible, worldwide, but this new research promotes other testing modalities.

Source: Forbes July 26, 2023 14:38 UTC