Question
My viral load is undetectable, do I still need to take medication?
18 January 2019. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
My viral load is now stable. I’m not planning on having sex. Do I still need to take medication?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
The reason your viral load is stable is because you are still taking your medication.
If you ever stop taking your meds your viral load will quickly become detectable again.
You need to continue taking meds every day for your own health – even if you are not having sex.
If you want your HIV viral load to be stay stable, you need to take your meds every day.
Hi Xhoni,
Thanks. The tests are safe, and they are accurate.
Thank you again Roy, I’m afraid that after 10 years have shown the symptoms, even if aids, a show these tests I did? please tell me that I’m very worried how are these tests safe?
Hi Sadiq,
Yes, thanks. But as I said to your earlier comment, your wife should make this choice with you.
it mean my wife should use prep for pregnancy to get negative baby
Hello team.
I’m Tien and I must recommend you for you wonderful work.
one week after my unprotected sex I had some HIV symptoms in my first week like small pain in my throat frequently and then after some I had fatigue, joints aches, high body temperature. I’m very very worry about my situation and I don’t even sleep at all. I try for a test which is very difficult to me and still I got tested after my week seven, after 20-30 minute we check it with nurse and I only saw one red single line then she said the result come out negative for me, she run another one with different test kit and it come out negative again. they asks me to come back for confirmatory test after three months, now I’m in four months two weeks after my exposure. this week went for confirmatory test and the refuse to do it for me, because I don’t reach the three moths yet. I knew I’m poz. so I need to start treatment in an early time. my big worry now is that from that three days ago I starting some dry cough, I take some cough syrup but it don’t stop until now. I’m fear for TB and is suppose to go for test on February 13 I think it’s too long for me. if it’s TB is this Feb. 13 is long for me to get worse? I’m scared for it to be worse active. I really want see doctor from that hospital because it’s one of the professional HIV center in Nigeria. can I go to them again this week due to my cough or will let until Feb. 13?
thank.
Hi Xhoni,
Thanks, but the tests for HIV are the tests in the link from my answer. It looks like you’ve already done some of them. Perhaps you could ask for another test to confirm you are HIV negative.
Your symtoms could be caused by other illnesses. So it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about your symptoms. You can ask them to find out what’s causing them.
Thank you for answer Roy Trevelion, i have symptoms, Fever, i feel very tired, headche, muscle pain, wominiting!
rash in the body.If is same test for hiv and Aids?
Hi Mark,
Here’s a link to a Q&A for what different tests are used to test for HIV.