Treatment as Prevention (TasP): What is TasP and How Does it Affect Me?

What is an Undetectable Viral Load?

HIV treatment can reduce a person’s viral load – the amount of virus in blood and other bodily fluids – until it is ‘undetectable’, unable to be measured by current standard lab tests. Having an undetectable viral load is not a cure for HIV. There is still HIV present in the body but it cannot be measured. Importantly, recent research shows it cannot be passed on to other people.

What is Treatment as Prevention?

Relying on an undetectable viral load to prevent passing on HIV is called Treatment as Prevention. Recent research has shown that there is negligible risk of passing on HIV if a person has an undetectable viral load. Data released from the PARTNER Study in 2016 found there were no HIV transmissions between 888 sero-discordant heterosexual and gay couples – who between them had condomless sex an estimated 58,213 times – where the HIV Positive partner had a viral load under 200 copies/ml.

A couple may rely on an undetectable viral load as a means of HIV prevention if the following conditions are met:

  • Viral load must have been undetectable for at least 6 months. This is measured by a viral load test which measures the amount of virus in a person’s blood. While the amount of virus present in other fluids such as semen or vaginal fluids may differ, recent research shows that an undetectable viral load indicates that there is negligible risk of HIV transmission.
  • Medication must be taken as prescribed. Strict adherence to medication is important in achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load. Missed doses can lead to medication being less effective, increasing your viral load and the possibility of developing resistance to the drug you are taking.
  • There are no other STIs. For people with multiple partners regular STI checks are important.
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Canada Post has provided notification of restarting their operations on December 17, 2024. As Canada Post ramps up and stabilizes their services, the BC-CfE will continue the following measures on an interim basis to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory will utilize private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy will utilize private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

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