U=U. Those three characters stand for “undetectable equals untransmittable,” and when it comes to HIV, it’s a modern miracle.
If you live with HIV and take your medication, you can achieve an undetectable viral load. When that happens, you are safe from transmitting the virus through sex.
At Allies for Health + Wellbeing, U=U is the goal that staff hope to help patients and clients living with HIV achieve. It’s not always an easy process, but Allies staff are trained to address obstacles individuals may have when it comes to keeping up with their care.
“We want to stand behind and support all of our patients to make them feel good in the decisions and care that they’re getting,” said Jacque DeRubbo, senior director of clinical services at Allies. “Patient-centered care is the healthcare model that we practice, which means that it puts the patients values, goals and preference at the heart of all clinical decisions, which develops a partnership, respect and personalized treatment.”
Reaching U=U status is life-changing. It means that people can be intimate without the use of condoms with their partner, even if their partner is not on PrEP, as there is virtually no risk that they can pass on the virus. And staying on treatment to maintain U=U also means their own HIV is being kept in check, so they can let go of the fear that it will progress into something more serious.
Yet too many people, even those living with HIV, don’t understand U=U or are inhibited by stigma from embracing this new reality.
“For many people, contracting HIV was a traumatic event that time and access to life-saving medication have not fully healed,” said Christy Owens, senior director of programs at Allies. “The emotional wound itself creates just one extra layer of difficulty among all the physical difficulties of securing transportation, facing the weather, taking the time off work, finding childcare, or the dozens of other barriers faced by individuals in southwestern Pennsylvania.”
If a patient is struggling with their treatment plan, Allies staff are ready to help.
“They are very on top of patient care,” DeRubbo said of the clinic team. “Can we remove any barriers, anything we can do to make it easier? What are the barriers? We want to be able to help navigate those barriers.”
In addition to medical care, Allies offers patients and clients living with HIV support groups, therapy and many other services to help you live your best life.
Allies HIV support services include a robust retention in care program that works closely with the clinic staff. When a patient or client has not had an HIV visit in seven months, those individuals are prioritized for follow up with the clinic or case management. Case managers also step in to address support needs if a person is not on track to reach undetectable status.
U=U means hope – hope for a future without HIV, and it’s something that can be achieved by anyone living with HIV who has the support they need. Allies is here to offer that support and to assist those living with HIV in reaching that U=U milestone.
If you are living with HIV and are interested in receiving medical care or HIV support services at Allies for Health + Wellbeing, visit AlliesPGH.org or give us a call at 412-345-7456.