Question

How long will it take for my viral load to become undetectable?

25 July 2021. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Sero different couples, Southern Africa.

How long does it take for ART to work ? When do you know that you cannot infect your partner? I live in South Africa.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thanks for your question and for letting us answer online.

ART start to work from the very first dose. But in order to prevent risks to your partner, your viral load needs to be undetectable.

The time it takes to become undetectable can vary. It can be as fast as one month or up to three months. In a few people it might take up to a year or longer, but this is very rare and viral load is usually very high before starting treatment.

So how long this takes depends on how high your viral load is when you start treatment. It also depends on which medicines you are taking. For example, it will be faster with an integrase inhibitor like dolutegravir than with an NNRTI like efavirenz.

In the UK, viral load tests are easy to get. People usually get a viral load test four weeks after starting treatment. Then another test 2-3 months later.

In some countries, I think in South Africa, viral load is not checked for six months, and then every year. This can make it more difficult to know when you get to undetectable.

Please also talk to your doctor about viral load tests and what is available in South Africa.