in summary, for couples in which one member is HIV-infected,

in summary, for couples in which one member is HIV-infected, treatment of the infected partner with effective ART and suppression of viral load to undetectable levels should greatly reduce the risk of transmission to the uninfected partner. However, this risk is not eliminated and it may not be maximally reduced at all times due to some of the factors discussed above. Moreover, the likelihood of transmission may be expected to increase with repeated exposures over time. In a model which estimated transmission risk in the setting of suppressed viral load (<50 href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/treatment/resources/factsheets/art.htm#31">31]. A meta-analysis of data from 11 cohorts including 5,021 heterosexual couples observed no transmissions among persons receiving ART with a viral load of <400 href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/treatment/resources/factsheets/art.htm#32">32]. For this reason, it is important that individual couples recognize the risk, and use additional preventive methods (e.g., condoms) in order to further minimize the chance of transmission.

ART as a Prevention Tool for Sexual Transmission of HIV

While it cannot be assumed that effective ART will eliminate transmission within individual exposures, evidence from several cohort, observational, and mathematical modeling studies suggests that effective ART may be a promising way to reduce sexual HIV transmission within populations. Potential limitations to this approach include availability of ART and appropriate monitoring, willingness of individuals to take medications, and potential offset of benefit though accompanying increases in risk behavior.