Question
How can I decrease my viral load?
1 November 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment, Supplements and herbs.
hi my question is that I found out I am hiv positive and my c4 was 64 and am now on treatment. The last time Ii do my varal load was more than 3000, they asked me to do it again this month. I’m stressed to much and that makes me scared. What can I used to boost my viral load? I don’t have a problem with my treatment my problem is the stress I have.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
What was your viral load when you were diagnosed? How long have you been on treatment? Has your CD4 increased since you started meds?
I appreciate that you are concerned that your viral load is not undetectable. It is though still low, and will continue to go down if you take your meds. It can take up to six months to become undetectable. It is taking your meds that will decrease your viral load, and nothing else.
Hi Grace,
What your doctor is telling you is true. If your viral load is going up, this means that the meds you’re taking aren’t working. This means that you aren’t in control of your HIV.
Though changing may not be something that you want to do, changing to second lines drugs isn’t a bad thing. They are still ARVs. And you need to be taking ARVs that work for you.
Fore more info about viral rebounds and changing meds, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/changing
Helo,
Am on ARVs treatment,and i take the drugs on time and i always have protected sex but my viral load is still going up,what can be the problem am on first line and my viral load is now 4754 and my Doctor says i have to switch to second line of which i don’t want….what should i do?
Hi Linid,
Please see the following link:
http://i-base.info/guides/changing
I’m on meds, I take them every night. My CD4 is high, but as too is my viral load. Why?
Hi Elmaire,
When you say fluctuates, what do you mean? What meds are you on? How is your CD4?
I’ve been taking my med for 2 years. I’m very good at adhering to them. The thing is my viral load fluctuates.
Hi Grace,
What meds are you on? How long have you been on them for? What’s your viral load history? And what’s your CD4 count?
Hie
Am taking ARV med but my viral load is still going up ,but am on first phase and i take my meds on my time ,and am always having protected sex with my partner but as of now my viral load is 4700,what should i do to reduce my viral load?
Hi Deez,
For an explanation of what a CD4 is, please read the following:
http://i-base.info/qa/20
A CD4 of 4 is very low. Therefore it is important that you start ARVs as soon as possible. The reasons why this is important are given here:
http://i-base.info/qa/4643
A viral load is the amount of virus that is in your blood. It is explained in more detail here:
http://i-base.info/qa/6570
If its possible, you could change clinic as doctors should explain all of this to you.
What does it mean your viral load is high and cd4 count 4 does mean u in danger because I feel normal just lost little weight but taking my meds. Please help to understand because the doctor do not explain me any thing thank u and God bless amen.