Q and A

Question

How long should I wait for undetectable viral load?

Hello

I recently had been diagnosed with HIV and my doctor prescribed me combined ART therapy of Truvada (tenofovir+FTC) and Sustiva (efavirenz).

My blood test showed CD4 of 679 and viral load of 70,000. It\'s been a month and half since I started with combined ART therapy, and I\'ll do my full check in 3 months from now

My question is:

How high is the possibility of transmitting HIV to someone If I have safe sex after one month of treatment, and when I should expect my viral load to become undetectable?

Many thanks

Answer

Hi

Thanks for writing – I hope everything is going okay with the new treatment.

Viral load start to drop very quickly from the first pill. So within the first week your viral load was probably less than 10,000 and it will continue to drop over the next few months.

Some people become undetectable on your combination within a month but most people take about three months. The only way to know is to get the test results though.

Using condoms is safe even before your started treatment. They are very effective so long as they are used in the right way every time.

After your viral load has been undetectable for a month or two, your treatment is working as “safe sex” – even if you don;t use condoms or if a condom breaks. Having an undetectable viral load stops transmission better than condoms.

16 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi Lo, I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time right now. HIV can sometimes be very difficult, especially if you are doing this on your own. Is there anyone you can talk to? Either about HIV or things in general.

    What is wrong today and is there anything I can help with?

    Are you in touch with other HIV positive people, perhaps in a support group.

    Sometimes it helps to take every day one day at a time. Try to find something that you enjoy and maybe plan for something again tomorrow. Talking to your friends or family to help with their lives can also sometimes help, even if it is difficult to talk about yourself.

    If it gets very bad, every country have helplines where you can talk to someone in confidence.

    In the UK, this includes the Samaritans.
    https://www.samaritans.org
    Tel: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)

  2. Lo

    I’m scared ok I’m lonely I jus wanna feel the same as I did before when I found out I had it I lost myself but I didn’t show because I have to stay strong what do I do

  3. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Elly,

    The simple answer is that most people become undetectable in about 3 months. But this can depend on what ARVs you’re taking and what your viral load was when you started treatment.

    The only way to know is to get the test results though.

    What meds are you taking? And if you have access to your viral load and CD4 results, please let us know what they are.

  4. Elly

    Iv been on ART since 2019 15 July and have never missed a pill.can I be undetectable

  5. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Hayden,

    Has your status been confirmed by a doctor, or are you assuming that you’re positive due to something that you’ve read?

  6. Hayden

    I’m hiv positive and have not taken any medication for almost four months now because am outside my country working at sea offshore in another country. What will happen to my body.
    I will soon go back home and look for the medication and also where to get the medicine to buy. I detected it it sea after ready about the symptoms. How best can you help me.

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *