If you reduce your viral load to under 50 copies/mL (called ‘undetectable’) you are unlikely to develop resistance. You can then use the same drugs for many years. This does mean that you still need to take all the drugs on time.

Combinations of 3 drugs are able to do this for over 80% of people starting treatment for the first time in 2011. With resistance tests and perfect adherence this rate is much higher.

Although people start treatment to improve their health, and to stay healthy, one of the main goals of treatment in most guidelines is to reduce viral load to undetectable levels (less than 50 copies/mL).

Viral load should go down by at least 90% (1 log) after 1 month of treatment, and get to below 50 copies/mL within 3-6 months.