Question
I am not on ARVs but gaining weight, what does this mean?
6 September 2016. Related: All topics, Side effects, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I tested HIV positive 2 years back and never took ARVs but I’m gaining weight. Isn’t it that a person with HIV should lose weight if not on medication?
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Have you considered starting treatment? Treatment is also effective at preventing transmission of HIV if you feel that the other benefits are not appropriate for you at the moment. Please see here for more on starting treatment.
You are right that untreated HIV is more likely to lead to weight loss over weight gain. However, everyone is different and this does not necessarily mean that if you don’t lose weight you shouldn’t consider meds.
It’s also worth noting that weight gain can be unhealthy depending on your lifestyle and diet. That’s why it’s important to discuss this with your doctor an they can assess why you are gaining weight and if that is good for your general health.
Hi Ofe, over how long have you lost this weight? and how long have you been HIV positive/on treatment?
Dolutegravir is more commonly associated with weight gain. Has anything else in your life changed that could have caused this e.g., more active lifestyle, change in diet, stress etc…?
Do you currently have any other symptoms you have noticed e.g., night sweats or recurrent fevers? and have you had this weight loss reviewed by a doctor?
Have really lost weight before I weighed 93 but the last time I checked was 72, and am on Dolutegravir.
What do I need to do?
Hi Janly, for information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
After how long is a discondant couple take to rule out infection of one member.
Hi Zama, having sex with someone on treatment likely means that there is no risk at all. When on treatment, viral load will be suppressed. When viral load falls below 200 because of treatment it is impossible to pass on HIV.
This is explained by U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
For more information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I sleep with a person who taking ARVS if I check I get negative results.so my question is how long it will take to be seen in my blood
Hi Kolly, has your partner had a test? Having sex with someone does not mean HIV transmission will definitely happen. There are a number of things that change the risk of transmission. This is explained here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Hi ,I tested positive and my partner doesn’t show any symptoms is there any chance that is infected,we dated for 1and a half year
Hi Jannat, how much weight has your mother lost and over how long? Do you know what treatment she is taking?
Am jannat from uganda I want ma mother gain weight she lost too much and she is HIV positive please help me