Question
I’ve been on meds for 8 months, will my viral load be undetectable?
11 May 2021. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I’ve been taking ARVs for 8 months. When I was diagnosed my CD4 was 604 and my Vl was 13,008. Due to the pandemic, I’ve not had my viral load checked since I started medication, will it now be undetectable? I’ve due to have it checked next month.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
When someone starts taking ARVs their viral load should become undetectable within 1-3 months of starting treatment. However, for some people it can take slightly longer.
To know for sure if your viral load is undetectable or not, you’ll need to have a test, which it sounds like you’re going to be doing very soon.
Once your viral load is undetectable, there’s no risk to sexual partners, please see here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi Venesa, being on treatment for 9 months probably means you have a viral load below 200/undetectable. This means that is is impossible to pass on HIV to your partner through sex. This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Even if your viral load is higher than this, being on treatment will still greatly reduce the risk of transmission.
Have you had any viral load test results since you have started treatment?
I’m on art treatment for almost 9months now I had sex with my partner who is HIV negative I went for viral load check but didn’t get answers yet.
I’m afraid will I pass it to him,?
Hi Usman, how are you doing? Do you know what your most recent viral load was? In most people, after 3 months viral load becomes undetectable. In these cases you are unable to pass on HIV via sex. To be considered undetectable, your viral load needs to be below 200. Some tests are more specific and can detect viral load at lower numbers, which is why the cut-off of 200 is used. This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/uu-undetectable-untransmittable
Even if your viral load is not below 200, as you are on medication your viral load will be suppressed to some degree. Any suppression by ARVs is going to greatly reduce the risk of transmission. In the UK, as you are on treatment, it would not be recommended that your partner take PEP as there is minimal risk. This link can help explain risk factors: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
Good day sir/ma I’m hiv positive under arv for one year now and I had sex with my partner without condom and I was ask to come by next month for viral load test cuz I don’t know wether am undetectable but is it possible that have infect my partner
Hi J, as you are undetectable you cannot pass on HIV. If she has the flu it is likely that she got this from somewhere/someone else. Getting the flu is normal and does not mean someone has HIV.
I’m undetectable me and my girl friend did it without condom but she has the flu I’m nervous why she has a flu
Hi Has,
There was never any risk, therefore you didn’t need to take the PEP. You can’t contract HIV from someone when their viral load is undetectable.
Goodafternoon i-base management. I need help i have sex with hiv positive woman who was in hiv treatment more than three years condom broke i when to hospital i start take pep within 24 hour.i talk with the girl after one week she told me that she take medicine constant i sent her to the hospital to check her viral load test and she did the test i ask doctor him told me her viral load is very low, i didn’t stop take the medicine i finished take it,after six week of expourse and two weeks after pep i test hiv negative.is these test indicate that i am hiv negative please do me a favour.
Hi HAS,
As your partner has been on treatment for more than 3 months, as long as their viral load is undetectable, there’s no risk. Please see here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Good days Sir/m my partner was in hiv treatment more than two years.we have sex these night condom broke i withdraw from her change another one and continue.is possible for me to take pep as the girls was in hiv treatment more than to years.