Question
Will my HIV treatment prevent superinfection?
9 June 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, HIV reinfection (superinfection).
Hello, I’m on Isentrenss and Descovy. I’d like to know if these drugs also protect against HIV superinfection? Is there a chance I might catch another strain of HIV?
On another note are there are any HIV drugs that can be taken if I consume alcohol?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
While rare, yes. Superinfection can occur even if you are on medication.
This is because if someone else has a strain of HIV that is resistant to your class of medication, your medication will not work to prevent this.
Being on medication can help prevent this, and if someone has a strain that is only resistant to one class, your other medication will help to prevent you. But there is always a risk.
If you have sex with someone who is undetectable and on their own medication there is no risk. When unsure, using a condom will protect you both.
Any HIV medication is suitable for when you consume alcohol. The problem is that alcohol may interfere with you remembering to take your medication. To avoid this remember to drink in moderation and you could set an alarm for the next day as a prompt to take your medication.
Josh.
Hi Rahul, no you did not get a superinfection. As you have been on treatment yourself with an undetectable viral load you are protected from subsequent infections. This is called Treatment as Prevention (TasP) and works similar to how PrEP works.
TasP: https://i-base.info/guides/starting/treatment-as-prevention-tasp
Hep A is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is most commonly transmitted by food. You have mentioned you have been travelling and eating street food. This is most likely the reason you have had Hep A. It is great to hear that it has been cured.