Question
Why has my viral load not improved on ART?
4 June 2022. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Other tests, Resistance.
I take ART medicine for 4 years, but my viral load has had no improvement. What is the problem?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Would you mind telling me what your current viral load is?
Viral load should be as low as it will go. Often this is called undetectable. This usually happens within the first few months of starting ART.
If you still have a high viral load it may mean that you have a resistant strain of HIV – this would require a different combination of treatment. This can be checked with an HIV resistance test.
However, this is unlikely as over 4 years this should have been noticed by your doctor.
Do you know your current CD4 count as well?
Josh.
Comment