HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV damages cells in the immune (defense) system that help to protect us by fighting off infection and disease. Many factors can disproportionately impact someone’s exposure to HIV. These include but are not limited to a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, age, geographic location, and sexual and/or drug related behaviors.

Getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is an important part of routine health care if you are sexually active. Early detection offers more options for treatment and preventive care. No effective cure exists for HIV. But with proper medical care, people living with HIV can reduce the amount of virus in their body and continue to lead healthy lives. People living with HIV who take medicines as prescribed and achieve an undetectable viral load in their blood sample for at least six months have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV through sex. This is referred to as U=U (Undetectable Equals Untransmittable). Today, there are also more tools than ever are available to prevent HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PreP) is a once-a-day HIV-prevention pill that can be taken by people who are not living with HIV, but who may be at risk of HIV transmission.

In 2019, Michigan’s HIV disclosure law was modernized to reflect advances in science. Along with other updates to the law, people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load are no longer subject to prosecution for not disclosing their HIV status. 

Please visit the Washtenaw County Health Department website for more information about HIV/STI trends in Washtenaw County.