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When is the best time to start if I have a high viral load?

A recent UK study looked at the best time to start treatment to ensure an undetectable viral load by the time of delivery.

It recommended:

Women with a viral load greater than 100,000 copies/mL should commence HAART without delay.
Women with a viral load greater than 10,000 copies/mL should start HAART by 20 weeks.
If the viral load is less than 10,000 copies/mL, HAART may be delayed to 26 weeks.
If the viral load is greater than10,000 copies/mL NNRTI-based HAART, where appropriate, may be more successful than PI-based HAART.

So, it is important to start treatment early if your viral load is high. This will mean you have the least risk of transmission and also more choice of how the baby is delivered.

September 2011

Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.

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