Question
What are the most asked questions?
10 October 2016. Related: All topics.
Answer
About half of all the questions to i-Base are covered by the questions below.
Please check this page before asking a question. If your question is covered by the topics below, we forward you to these answers first.
Top questions
- Why doesn’t i-Base answer questions on HIV testing and transmission?
Important to answer this first. We do care but we also have limited resources. Instead we have published lots of online resources that already answer questions on testing and risk. This answer explains this and includes links. - Can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
Short answer – only ARVs can increase your CD4 count and keep them high. Not vitamins, not supplements, not so-called “immune-boosters” which are scams, not diet. Read the full answer for details. - What can make efavirenz (Atripla/Tribuss etc) easier – or should I change?
Side effects with efavirenz can be difficult. Efavirenz is one of the drugs in Atripla and the many generic versions that include Atenef, Atreslawin, Atroiza, Citenvir, Heftenam, Odimune, Tribuss, Trivenz, Truno, Trustiva and Viraday. - What happens if I am late or miss a dose of meds?
There is some flexibility in dosing, especially if you have been undetectable for some time. Aiming for the same time is a good habit but every one is late of misses a dose sometimes, without any harm. See the full answer for details. - How can one partner test positive and the other negative?
Sometimes this questions comes from the positive partner and sometimes from the negative partner. Often both partners can be confused because they might.have not use condoms, even for several years. The explanation in this answer explains this is common – and just the result of luck. - Can HIV positive people have a baby?
Sometimes this comes from a positive man and sometimes from a positive women. HIV treatment covers all situations. It lets couples conceive naturally if the man is positive and the woman is negative. It also protect the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy if the mother is positive. - What happens if I stop taking treatment?
Short answer: your viral load will rebound quickly and your CD4 will then start to fall – usually to the level before you started treatment. Please see the full answer for details. - What does the number mean on an HIV test result?
We don’t answer test question but we get this a lot from outside the UK. Short answer: less than 1.0 means you are HIV negative. See the full linked answer for details.
Hi Champion, please see link 2 at this page for info on oral sex, as this includes that receiving oral sex is zero risk:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
This is confirmed by your test results.
Hi. I received an unprotected oral sex in July and I heard a couple of weeks later that my partner tested HIV negative. Am I at the risk. I did test after 45 days and after 9 weeks at around 10 weeks by 4th gen test the result comes negative. Should I repeat the test or should I stop testing. I’m freaking out. please help
Hello and thanks for the question.
Your risk seems really low from your description.
However, a viral load test (PCR) is not the best test for diagnosis.
Are you sure they did not run any other tests?
Here are the commonly used tests for diagnosing HIV:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing/appendix-1-different-types-of-hiv-test
Please also see the guide to evaluate your sexual risk more accurately:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
I was exposed to HIV, but I don’t have any wounds.
After few weeks I started having temperatures, difficulty in swallowing and other symptoms.
After 45 to 50 days I went for PCR test and it was negative.
I have been having unprotected sex with my partner.
How protected are we?
Hello Solomon.
Please take note of the language when you are talking about people living with HIV and try to educate yourself.
We will not be responding to stigmatising and discriminatory language.
Please also read through the information.
I am sending you links below:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Please I just had sex with a person living with HIV without condom and I didn’t know, what are the chances of catching it…two weeks and counting
Hi Kyampaire, please see this info on U=U to understand hoe the meds also protect you:
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I have been having sex without a condom, with a person on treatment,and he has been, undetectable,I have not tested,and am fearing that I might find my self positive.
Hi Vic, this service isn’t for people worried about their risk. Please see links here that answer your Q’s:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
Hi, Please I had sex and I used condom. What I fear is that, even though the condom I used was supposed to expire in 3 years time, I didn’t store it in a cool dry place because it has been in my bag for 1 year so it looks rough. After having sex, I mistakenly touch around my penis with the hand I used it touching her vagina. Please am I at risk of contacting hiv? I need help please.