Why We Shouldn’t Stop Talking About Being ‘Undetectable’

It is impossible to have a modern conversation about HIV and HIV stigma without having the term “undetectable” used, misused, and abused. Those involved in HIV activism certainly have strong opinions on how the term – which refers to an HIV-positive person’s viral load once it becomes so low it is no longer detectable by current testing processes – should be used; and who isn’t using it correctly. Some herald the term as a badge of honor worn by those who are compliant with treatment and open about their HIV status. Others scold the same group of people for using the term as an excuse to engage in unsafe sexual behavior.

Neither oversimplified accolades nor mudslinging moral judgments should have a place in conversations about HIV stigma, prevention, and the state that is the end goal of compliance with medication. But many gay men are still unclear about what being “undetectable” truly constitutes. So, how do we get to a place where we can discuss what it does and doesn’t mean without all of us looking dirty in the end?

For those who are still unsure: An HIV-positive person can achieve undetectable viral levels after undergoing antiretroviral therapy. A person’s viral load affects both their own health and the chance that they will transmit HIV. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, early antiretroviral therapy reduced the likelihood of transmission by 96 percent. Once antiretroviral meds help a person achieve an undetectable viral load, it is possible to remain at this level provided the person continues to take the medication as directed.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (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 has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
For more details and example reports, please click on the button below