Undetectable = Untransmittable
HIV treatment lowers an individual’s “viral load.” A person’s viral load is the amount of HIV in their body. If people with HIV stay in treatment, their viral load can get so low that HIV won’t appear on standard blood tests.
When this happens, doctors refer to a person’s status as “undetectable.” When someone’s viral load becomes undetectable, they can’t spread HIV to others during sex.
Even though viral loads can become undetectable, HIV is still present in the body. If you fall out of care or stop treatment, your viral load can go back up. That will make it possible to pass HIV to your partner(s).
HIV Treatment Services
Early detection offers more choices for treatment. While there is no cure for HIV, there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system, and may keep HIV in check so that the individual can live a normal healthy life span. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of medicines that slows down the effects of HIV in your body and can help you stay healthy for many years. It can also lower or even stop your chances of giving HIV to anyone else.
If you are 13-25…
The Pediatric and Adolescent HIV/AIDS Program at Johns Hopkins’ Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health (CAYAH) Clinic offers high-quality, state-of-the-art, and compassionate HIV treatment. We also provide a well-rounded “circle of care” to meet all your needs, with services provided across the Johns Hopkins’ system of care. Talk with a healthcare provider for more information regarding various drug therapies for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, or connect with a VOISES Navigator who can refer you to services available to help you stay on top of your HIV care.
Harriet Lane Clinic Location
200 North Wolfe Street, 1ST Floor
Clinic Hours and Contact
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
To Make an Appointment
Call 443-997-KIDS (5437) or (410) 955-5710
If you are 26 and older...
VOISES sexual health navigators can help you get services at the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics or with one of the other adult clinics in the area that we partner with.
For more information on HIV treatment check out HIV.gov, see the resources below or connect with a Navigator today.
