Question

Can I drink cola or other soda?

13 August 2019. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.

I found out three months ago that I am HIV positive and I immediately started on ART the very same day. My question is on drinking cola. Will drinking cola affect my CD4 and viral load?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Hi

Thanks for your question – how are you doing?

Great you started treatment – this will be good for your health and also protect your partners.

Drinking cola will not affect your CD4 or viral load. It does contain a lot of sugar though, so is not a good drink for your general health, especially if you drink too much cola :)

18 comments

  1. Christina Antoniadi •

    Hello Emily and thanks for getting in touch.

    You can drink soda or anything else you want.

    Please be mindful of the sugar you consume but absolutely no problem for interaction with the ARVs.

  2. Emily •

    Can I drink soda water i have hiv

  3. Christina Antoniadi •

    Hello Nandipha and thank you for the question.

    I am not sure what medication you take when you go to the clinic.

    To protect yourself from HIV you need to be on Pre – Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) which is a medication you can take before you have sex.
    or Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which is usually a combination of medication you take after sex for a month.

    Please see this link for info on risk and testing.
    https://i-base.info/qa/11844

    For other STIs you need to be testing often, every 3 months if you don’t have symptoms, or whenever you have symptoms and treat accordingly.

  4. Nandipha •

    For the past years I have been struggling with STI so everytime time I go to clinic I test for hiv and the results come negative. I do take meds and finish the program, now I want to know which other types must I take regarding this

  5. Simon Collins •

    Dear Lisa, thanks. There is lots you can do but please see this link where I answered in more detail:
    https://i-base.info/qa/25292

  6. Lisa •

    Hi my brothers has AIDS. He was diagnosed in his last stages and ended up with meningitis also had a 2 week drip now he is at home the doctors said his cd4 count is 2 so he is very ill.

    Only getting diarrhea and not able to keep food down only spewing and in the bed what would you say is this normal and what can we give him to boost his appetite.

    Thank you

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Patricia, yes you can drink an energy drink. This will not interfere with your treatment.

  8. PATRICIA •

    Hi if u in Arv treatment can u drink energy drink?

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