Viral Suppression in Adults: Importance and Management Strategies

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What is viral suppression?

Viral suppression refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. * Data not available for children aged 12 and under. † At least 1 viral load or CD4 test. ‡ Had 2 viral load or CD4 tests at least 3 months apart in a year. ** Based on most recent viral load test. Source: CDC.

How important are viral suppression rates in HIV care?

Quantifying the viral suppression rates among all people with HIV who have started ART, including those with missing viral load measurements owing to loss to follow-up or transfers, is an important indicator in HIV care programmes, especially in the era of treatment-as-prevention (or undetectable equals untransmittable).

Is viral load suppression a reality in children living with HIV?

While this is a very positive progress for adults living with HIV, viral load suppression in children living with HIV is only 46% - a reality that needs urgent attention. Here is an overview of other key scientific and normative updates being released by WHO at IAS 2023 conference:

What percentage of HIV patients are not virally suppressed?

HIV care cascade data from various countries indicate that 19% (uncertainty range 5–40%) of people on treatment who have had viral load testing are not virally suppressed.

Are children and adolescents getting closer to achieving viral suppression?

HIV Awareness Ribbon. NIAID Among people with HIV worldwide who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), adults are getting closer to the global target of 95% achieving viral suppression, but progress among children and adolescents is lagging and long-term viral suppression among all groups remains a challenge.

Why is viral suppression important for people with HIV?

People with HIV who achieve viral suppression protect their immune health and prevent transmitting HIV to others. In 2014, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) set a goal of 95% of all people with HIV who are taking ART achieving viral suppression by 2030.

What Is Adults With Viral Suppression

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7845768/
2. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/age/viral-suppression.html
3. https://www.who.int/news/item/23-07-2023-new-who-guidance-on-hiv-viral-suppression-and-scientific-updates-released-at-ias-2023
4. https://journals.lww.com/aidsonline/Fulltext/2020/09010/What_we_talk_about_when_we_talk_about_durable.13.aspx
5. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/hiv-treatment/viral-suppression
6. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(21)00265-4/fulltext

Adults With Viral Suppression Information

1. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/too-many-people-hiv-fail-achieve-durable-viral-suppression
2. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/too-many-people-hiv-fail-achieve-durable-viral-suppression