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<channel>
	<title>Q and A</title>
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	<link>http://i-base.info/qa</link>
	<description>Your HIV questions answered</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 16:10:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<item>
		<title>Why does Truvada &amp; Atripla have different food restrictions?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6906</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6906#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 16:03:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adherence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6906</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why does Truvada need to be taken with or after food and Atripla when the stomach is empty or two hours after food or one hour before? 

They both contain the same drugs emtricitabine and tenofovir, so does Truvada really need to be taken with food at all? It would make my life easier if it didn't.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6906/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Could changing from Atripla to Tribuss have caused my viral load to increase?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6902</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6902#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 13:14:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6902</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[During my last test (6 months ago) my VL was less than  40. Three months ago, my medical aid changed my medication from Atripla to Tribuss and have been taking my medication regurlaly as required. I just received my latest test results now and my VL is 686. Could the change of medication have caused the VL to increase? Is it normal that it would increase so significantly in such a small period of time? What could have caused the VL to increase so much?
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6902/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Will Potter&#8217;s Herbals remedy interact with my Atripla?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6896</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6896#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 11:47:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplements and herbs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6896</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi there. I've had a bad cold that I can't shift for almost 4 weeks now. My regular doctor gave me a dose of oxycillin a couple of weeks ago without success. I'm now trying Potter's Herbals remedy which contains Black Cahosh, Ipecaucuanha, Lobelia, Pleurisy, Scullcap, Elecampane, Horehound and Hyssop. I've checked your recommended link to herbs and can't find a mention of any of these. Help! I think I should be OK to take it but can you confirm it won't interfere with my Atripla?  Many thanks.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6896/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why is my husband HIV positive yet my child and I aren&#8217;t?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6890</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6890#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 11:06:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sero different couples]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6890</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A man is  HIV positive since 1987, gets married and had a child who was born in 1989. Mother and child are healthy. 

Is that something normal? 

At the time he didn't know he was HIV positive.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6890/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m worried about my CD4 and have resistance, neuropathy and arthritis</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6882</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6882#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 10:27:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Simon Collins</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Changing treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Neurology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opportunistic infections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6882</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am on meds when I started my viral load was 225,000 and CD4 65 my viral load I was able to suppress to 75 but my CD4 went upto 114 and it is now 75 and going down my ARV are darunivir, ritonavir and raltegravir. I also suffer from small fibre neuropathy which has become more painful and can nearly not walk.

I also contracted salmonella sepsis which left me with reactive arthritis.

Please can you help me with my CD4 I am also multidrug resistant and double duel tropic.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6882/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What is the life expectancy of an HIV positive child?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6864</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6864#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 11:42:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life expectancy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6864</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is the life expectancy of an HIV positive child?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6864/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What is the difference between Trustiva and Truvada?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6860</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6860#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 09:57:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6860</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Truvada is the tradename for a fixed dose combination of two HIV drugs, tenofovir and FTC.
Trustiva is a generic combination pill, containing efavirenz, tenofovir and FTC.  The branded version of this pill is a combination called Atripla.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6860/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My 4 year old daughter&#8217;s CD4 has dropped, what does this mean?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6854</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6854#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 15:26:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6854</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My 4 years old girl, is HIV positive, and her CD4 has dropped from 857 to 664 and her viral load has picked up from 10,000 to 182,773. I just wanted to find out if she at risk?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6854/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pregnant and newly diagnosed, do I need to take ARVs?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6851</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6851#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 15:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Termination of pregnancy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi I was diagnosed with HIV on the 12th April and a week later I found out I am pregnant, I went for blood tests and my CD4 is 754. Must I take ARVs? What will happen when I stop the meds after delivering my baby? If I terminate this pregnancy will I be at risk? Is it possible to increase CD4? ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6851/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I am 24 years old and HIV positive and I have lost all self esteem</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6842</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6842#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 14:41:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Support]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6842</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am 24 years old and HIV positive...I was diagnosed when I was 19. I have never had any course to worry about my health as I have never had any health problems. The problem I am having is that I have lost all self esteem as a person.

I am fortunate to have a great boyfriend who is negative and loves me. The problem is that I dont have self confidence due to my health problem. For example I always ask myself why would he want to be with me when there are loads of negative women out there.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6842/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How much does treatment cost?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6837</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6837#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 10:55:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Access to treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6837</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How much is it for the drugs?
My CD4 is 860,how well am I doing? Thank you.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6837/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m positive, my brother&#8217;s newly diagnosed- how can I support him?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6833</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6833#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 10:30:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Support]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6833</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’m a 28 years old HIV positive guy and I’m healthy due to my medicines.

My brother (36 years old) was next to me from the very first beginning supporting me and advising me not to forget to take my meds on time etc. He’s a great brother!

A few days ago I visited my bro and I realized that he wasn’t OK. Not in mood for anything and he couldn’t communicate very well using his speech. I was terrified, and I brought him to a psychologist.

He also did an HIV test because he wanted to. Today the doctor from the lab called him and asked him to go again because there was a problem. Immediately I remembered my situation when I was first diagnosed positive!

We went there and it was the same thing! He is HIV positive too. But I am afraid that his disease is old because I saw some AIDS symptoms. We went at the hospital for AIDS and doctors confirmed my fears!

My lovely brother has problem with his breathing, his mental state; fungus in his mouth; and a fever. He has lost weight and hair and is generally weak. These are symptoms of AIDS!  Right?

This is his first night in the hospital. I miss him so much! He was always here. Now the roles have changed. I will support him as much as I can and I’m asking you to advise me in medical and psychological way so I can help him in the best way I can!

Or is it too late? Soon we will have the results of CD4 amount and viral load.

 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6833/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m newly diagnosed. What&#8217;s causing me continous itching?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6824</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6824#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 15:33:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6824</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was diagnosed in March and my CD4 count was 569 and viral load 2790. On my
second blood test after two weeks my CD4 went up to 695 and viral load 6250.
I am meant to go back in 4 months for another test. 

But now my face is itching and I have been given a cream by my GP to apply on it but it's still
itching. What is wrong with me? 

Help needed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6824/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Does a viral load of 23,000 and CD4 17% mean my son is getting sick?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6819</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6819#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 14:38:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6819</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My son was born with HIV. He is 25 years old. His last viral load was 23,000 and CD4 was 17% does this mean he is getting sick?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6819/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m 6 weeks pregnant, when should I start taking ARVs?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6815</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6815#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 13:47:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6815</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have just found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant. I've been living with HIV for 7 years.

I want to know when is the recommended time to take medication i.e ARVs and, is breastfeeding safe for the baby and how? ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6815/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m newly diagnosed- are my CD4 and viral load test results ok?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6812</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6812#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 13:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6812</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was just diagnosed HIV positive on March 5, 2012. My CD4 count is 427, my viral load is 127,000. I just stated taking Atripla. Are these numbers OK?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6812/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is an increase of 500 copies in my viral load normal?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6807</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6807#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 11:09:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6807</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have recently been diagnosed in a routine check up.

I had a CD4 count of 550 and viral load of 1500. I was told by the doctor that this is a good sign as if I caught it when I think I did the viral load would normally have been much higher.

 

I had my second test that has come back with a CD4 of 586 and viral load of 2050.

As my first test came back so low, I was meant to go back in 4 months for my next test.

Should I be concerned by the increase as the first and second test were only taken 4 weeks apart and I had a cold at the time of the first test yet producing a lower viral load?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6807/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Should I be concerned about my CD4 and CD8 percentages?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6800</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6800#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 14:53:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6800</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am currently taking Reyataz twice a day with one tablet of Norvir in the morning and one tablet Truvada in the evenings.

My last blood test in February showed an undetectable viral load and a T cell count of 401.  However, my CD4 percentage is 12% and CD4/CD8 ratio is 18%.  My CD8 percentage is 70%.  CD8 absolute count is 2,247.  

I have been on the current regimen since December of 2011.

My doctor says not to worry about any other number other than the viral load and
the T cell count.  Would you agree?

Also, any thoughts as to why the cd4 per cent and cd4/cd8 ratio remains stubbornly low?

I thank you for your time.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6800/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Does tenofovir treat HIV and hepatitis B?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6795</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6795#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 12:14:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coinfections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6795</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Does tenofovir work for both HIV and hepatitis B?

How much does it cost? I am from India. 
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6795/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How high is the risk of transmission between two men when on treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6789</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6789#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 16:04:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIV transmission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sero different couples]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6789</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was wondering whether you could give me some advice re. infection between a male couple of different HIV status. 

I have been HIV positive for 4 years and started treatment 6 months ago, Atripla. I am currently undetectable and CD4 of c 800. My partner is HIV negative and circumcised no known STDs. It has been quite challenging to practice safer sex 100% of the time and I am concerned that even though my labs are exceptionally good there could still be a risk of infection. 

I am aware that there is a study suggesting that successful treatment reduces the risk of infection by 96% but I wonder whether that study also applies to homosexual couples. 

I would appreciate if you could put me in the right direction to find some information bearing in mind that I am aware I-base does not answer questions regarding infection any longer. Many thanks. 
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6789/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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