Question
I’m undetectable, does my partner needs PrEP?
14 December 2017. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission.
I am HIV positive but I am undetectable and have been for some time. My girlfriend is not positive. She knows of my status and is loving and supportive. We have had condomless sex a few times. My question is, she is on her fathers insurance and doesn’t want her dad to see her getting the prep pills to further protect herself. If I gave her some of my HIV pills would that help protect her after sex? Or is it only PrEP pills that protect?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Because your viral load is undetectable there’s no need for your partner to take PrEP. This is because when someone has an undetectable viral load they can’t transmit HIV. For more info, please see here:
With regards to if you weren’t undetectable, giving your ARVs to someone else isn’t recommended this is because ARVs need to be taken daily. If they aren’t your health could be affected. Your ARVs may also not be the right ones for your partner.
Hi Madyson,
If you’re on HIV treatment and undetectable you cannot transmit HIV even when not using condoms. Please see more info at this link.
Hello so I was asked from a guy who would like to date me knowing I’m undetectable and we want to know if he’s on prep can I still infect him?
Hi Emmanuel, pls talk to your doctor about how long it is best to continue. Septrin (cotrimoxazole) is a combination of two antibiotics that are very safe for most people. They are also very effective at protecting you from infections. Recommendation for when to stop are based on your medical history, you CD4 recovery and where you live. If the Septrin was to treat an active infection at a low CD4 count, then you might need to always take this. If it was only as prophylaxis (i.e. preventing infections) then getting a CD4 count above 200 is a reason to stop in the UK. In many African countries, Septrin is continued until the CD4 count is above either 350 or 500 cells/mm3.
Thanks Lisa
You didn’t answer my question about the septrin, when should It be idle to stop taking septrin and does it have any harmful effect on the body system iirspectibe of protection against OIs
Hi Emmanuel,
You’ll be fine with the B complex or agumentin. And its great that things are now much better.
Hi Lisa
I started ARV FOR ALMOST 3 months now, when I started I had a lot of symptoms from dizziness to tiredness which have faded away gradually. I keep to my drug adherence. Thou I have skipped septrin in somes days but I still take them.
I feel better now thou I have gone for my viral load test which am still expecting the result, so I can’t say if I am undetectable or not. Is it ideal to stop taking the Septrin or when should I stop taking it. Also does it have any harmful effect to the system considering I have been taking it since I started my ARV. I am on Tenvoir, Lamuvidine and Effavirenz.
Also I am having tooth sensitivity issue, it is ideal to take B complex or agumentin while on ARV.
Thanks