Q and A

Question

My viral load is now 125 after being undetectable for a year…

9 May 2022. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, PEP/PEPSE, South Africa.

I’ve been HIV positive for about a year now and ive also been on treatment for about a year and tested undetectable in my last viral load test (below 40).

Now i tested again and viral load came back 125 – my doctor explained that a viral blib occurred.

I had unprotected vaginal sex with my negative girlfriend and i’m worried that i may have put her at risk. Although we went on pep immediately.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thanks – your doctor is giving you good advice.

So long as you have been taking your meds carefully, viral load usually stays undetectable.

Low level blips are common and usually become undetectable again without need to change treatment.

Your partner will still be protected, as this is okay when viral load is less than 200. (It is probably also okay when less than 1000 for straight couples, though guidelines don’t say this).

Using PEP is still probably a good idea if you were worried. This will also reduce the risk of HIV in case this is not a blip.

Please check your viral load again after four weeks though. Don’t let this go fro months in case it is not a blip.

8 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Mbalentle, I am sorry to hear about your weight gain. How much have you gained and over how long?

    What is the name of the ‘Fat Burn for Women’?

  2. Mbalentle •

    I am using acriptega my problem now m gaining weight and want to take Fat Burn for Women, will that be safe to use it to maintain my weight. i don’t want to use it and then the acriptega does not do it’s good work?

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Eunice, yes you can change the time of your meds. You can just start taking your meds at 1900h instead of 2000h.

    There is nothing additional you need to do. It is safe to move your medication backwards by an hour without any risk to your treatment/health.

  4. Eunice •

    I need to know if ever I may change my time of taking Arvs from 20h00 to 19h00

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Abass, yes you can do this. What is the name of the ARVs you are taking? and what time do you currently take them and what time do you want to move them to?

  6. Abass •

    I have switch my time off taking my ARV

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Duduzile, yes you can change the time of your medication. What is the name of the medication you are taking? and what is the current time you take it and the time you want to move to?

  8. Duduzile •

    I have been HIV …this is my second month since I found out I started my medication not so long ago this is a week since I started …know I want to change the time.of my madication …it gonner affect my viral load

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