What are ART and U=U: the story of one serodiscordant couple continues
Purpur asked friends from an HIV foundation to explain what a serodiscordant couple is and how they live. Spoiler: almost like any other couple.
What are ART and U=U: the story of one serodiscordant couple continues
What are ART and U=U, or the continuation of one serodiscordant couple's story 💜
Purpur asked our friends at an HIV foundation to explain what a serodiscordant couple is and how they live.
Spoiler: almost the same as all other couples, just with their own important rituals and traditions. A positive HIV status does not affect a relationship, and certainly not the level of mutual understanding in it.
You can get tested for HIV quickly and anonymously.
This is the second part of the story about this couple.
An ordinary life together
These two are a serodiscordant couple* and they love each other.
Together they live the most ordinary life.
*One partner's HIV status is positive, and the other's is negative.
Taking ART every day
An important part of the HIV-positive partner's life is taking ART (antiretroviral therapy).
It has to be done consistently and at a set time.
Undetectable = untransmittable
The HIV-negative partner knows that when their partner takes ART as prescribed, the viral load drops to an undetectable level, which means the virus cannot be passed on.
- And we'll get a dog too...
- But I'm allergic...
- Then one more cat...
- And we'll grow some seedlings
- And take a trip to the sea
This principle is called U=U:
undetectable = untransmittable.
A strict daily routine
To keep the viral load undetectable, the HIV-positive partner sticks to a strict daily routine
9:00 wake up
9:30 run
12:30 take ART
14:20 lunch
18:30 date with my partner ♡
and leads a healthy lifestyle
