<s>[INST] How can a person reduce the risk of transmitting HIV? [/INST] ART reduces the risk of HIV transmission. ART can reduce a person’s viral load to an undetectable level. An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test. People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load have no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partner through sex.

HIV medicines taken during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of perinatal (parent to infant) transmission of HIV. Previously, replacement feeding (properly prepared formula or pasteurized donor human milk from a milk bank) was recommended instead of breastfeeding since the risk of HIV transmission was considered high. Now, there is evidence that the risk of transmission through the breastmilk of someone consistently using ART and maintaining an undetectable viral load is low (less than 1%). Pregnant people with HIV can speak with their health care provider to determine what method of feeding their baby is right for them. Source: NIH. Link: https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-aids-basics. Field: Infectious Disease. Disease: HIV </s>