Education Packet

HIV and Treatment as Prevention: Including Undetectable = Untransmittable – This packet is a compilation of recent fact sheets and other resources. You may wish to customize it to meet the needs or interests of particular groups, such as event participants, providers, patients, clients, or the general public. So please feel free to distribute all or part of this packet as either a printout or PDF.

Fact Sheets and Infographics

HIV Treatment Is HIV Prevention (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC) – This bilingual fact sheet for consumers describes how starting effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after a person receives an HIV diagnosis can lead to an undetectable viral load – which effectively eliminates the risk of sexual transmission to an HIV-negative partner. The first page is in English, and the second is in Spanish.

HIV Treatment as Prevention (HIV.gov) – This easy-to-read fact sheet and associated infographic describe what HIV treatment as prevention (TasP) is, the health benefits of ART for persons with HIV, the benefits of TasP to their partners, the evidence supporting TasP, and guidance on talking with providers and partners about TasP. 

Prevention for Persons with HIV (CDC) – This fact sheet for HIV providers summarizes studies indicating that successful ART is effective in preventing HIV transmission, discusses how providers can talk with their patients about the value of TasP, and describes other prevention strategies to halt HIV transmission.

Viral Suppression and an Undetectable Viral Load (HIV.gov) – This fact sheet provides plain-language definitions of “viral load” and “viral suppression,” describes how ART can reduce HIV viral load to undetectable levels, and explains the health and prevention benefits of viral suppression.

HIV Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), or Treatment as Prevention (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – NIAID) – This fact sheet provides a brief review of studies indicating that, when ART reduces viral load consistently to undetectable levels, the risk of sexual transmission of HIV is effectively eliminated.

Guidelines, Issue Briefs, and Toolkits

Antiretroviral Therapy to Prevent Sexual Transmission of HIV (Treatment as Prevention) – This is a section of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living with HIV.  It includes an expert panel’s recommendations on the use of ART to prevent sexual transmission of HIV; a summary of research on TasP; information about viral load testing, ART adherence, and managing viral load “blips”; guidance on integrating the principles of TasP into HIV care; and an extensive list of references.

Evidence of HIV Treatment and Viral Suppression in Preventing the Sexual Transmission of HIV (CDC) – This issue brief provides an extensive review of the evidence supporting TasP as an HIV prevention strategy, ways to maximize its effectiveness, and CDC’s efforts to encourage the use of TasP. It also includes a references section listing studies on TasP and related topics.

Effectiveness of Prevention Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Acquiring or Transmitting HIV (CDC) – This issue brief provides a detailed overview of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of TasP in preventing sexual transmission of HIV in heterosexual men and women and in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.  The brief also summarizes research supporting the use of PrEP to prevent HIV transmission.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) Strategic Toolkit (CDC Division of Global HIV & TB) – This document provides background on what U=U means, CDC’s U=U prevention campaign, and the importance of community engagement for raising awareness and increasing support for U=U as an HIV prevention strategy. The toolkit also includes information about evaluating and sustaining activities that promote the U=U strategy, case studies of how organizations have promoted their U=U activities, frequently asked questions about U=U, and technical assistance and resources about U=U, TasP, and related topics.

10 Things to Know About HIV Suppression (NIAID) – This web page in frequently asked questions format provides an overview of what the terms “viral suppression” and “durably undetectable” mean, the health and HIV prevention benefits of viral suppression, what viral “blips” are, and the value of talking with partners about HIV transmission and prevention.

Undetectable = Untransmittable: Public Health and HIV Viral Suppression (UNAIDS) – This issue brief outlines steps public health professionals can take to raise awareness of U=U and promote its broader use as an HIV prevention strategy in combination with other prevention tools, including male and female condoms, voluntary male circumcision, PrEP, PEP, and harm reduction services.   

Other Brochures, Posters, and Videos from CDC

The Journey to Undetectable – This graphically rich brochure explains key concepts about undetectable viral load, adherence, and the benefits to oneself and others of being undetectable.

Undetectable Is Prevention – This poster encourages providers to talk with their HIV-positive patients about HIV transmission risk, adherence to ART, and the benefits of having an undetectable viral load.

Undetectable Is Peace of Mind – This poster is designed to raise awareness about the benefits of ART, having an undetectable viral load, and supporting loved ones by stopping HIV stigma. 

Your Road Map to Undetectable – This poster focuses on the steps needed to reach and sustain an undetectable viral load, including getting in care, starting ART, staying in care, and maintaining an undetectable viral load.

HIV: The Journey to Undetectable – This three-minute, animated video describes the benefits of ART in plain language, as well as steps for reaching and maintaining an undetectable viral load. A version of the video with Spanish subtitles is also available.

Storytelling Series - Undetectable = Untransmittable - Series of short videos portraying the interwoven stories of four women of color, from diverse backgrounds, all long-term survivors with HIV discussing what U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) means to them. Each video demonstrates strength, power, resilience, and the importance of honest communication between providers and clients.

Social Media Graphics

As part of its #HIVTreatmentWorks and #StopHIV Stigma campaigns, CDC has created a series of graphic resources for use in social media. These are designed to raise awareness about what being undetectable means and its health and HIV prevention benefits. These resources include Become Undetectable, Live Undetectable, Stay Undetectable, and three versions of “Being Undetectable” graphics (version 1, version 2, and version 3).

Selected Resources from AIDS Education Training Centers (AETCs)

Rapid (Immediate) ART Initiation & Restart: Guide for Clinicians (AETC National Coordinating Resource Center, May 2022) – This guide provides information on the strategy known as “rapid ART,” “same-day ART,” and “treatment upon diagnosis.” Immediate ART initiation may bring earlier benefits in personal health and earlier reductions in the risk of onward transmission of HIV.

Treatment as Prevention, Undetectable = Untransmittable: A Strategy for HIV Prevention (Pacific AETC, March 2022) – These training slides discuss persons at risk for HIV and who could benefit from HIV prevention services; options for HIV prevention for persons at risk of HIV; priority populations for HIV prevention services; and patient education around HIV prevention services such as TasP, U=U, and medication options.

The contents listed on this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the New England AIDS Education and Training Center.