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Transmission of drug-resistant virus

Some people contract HIV that is already resistant to one or more anti-HIV drugs (this has been the case for between 6 and 10% of people in the UK). This can happen regardless of how HIV is passed on.

Contracting a drug-resistant strain of HIV may limit your treatment options in the same way that developing resistance while taking treatments does, narrowing down the range of drugs you can benefit from.

If you have a detectable viral load and drug-resistant virus, then there’s a risk that you could pass on a drug-resistant strain of HIV to someone else. Condoms, used carefully and consistently, are a very good way of preventing sexual transmission of HIV.  

If you would like to discuss protecting your own or a partner’s sexual health, a health adviser at your HIV treatment centre or another member of your healthcare team can help. You can also read more about this in the NAM booklet in this series, HIV & sex.

Taking your HIV treatment

Published March 2014

Last reviewed March 2014

Next review March 2017

Contact NAM to find out more about the scientific research and information used to produce this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.