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.
I am HIV positive with undetectable viral load.I had an unprotected sex with some one , whome status I don’t know. After that I had develop blister on my lips and had hepatitis A which is cured now. Did I got a superinfection from other partner.i had also travelled in between to other places and had street food too.
Hi Jamie, if the person who is detectable is not taking medication/never taken medication there is no risk to the other individual. The person who is taking treatment will be able to use their treatment as prevention. This means that they cannot be reinfected. It works similar to how PrEP does before an exposure.
Hi,
I wanted to check if someone who is detectable, not sure of their viral load, had sex with someone on medication and is undetectable would lead to a potential reinfection of the person who is undetectable?
Thanks
Hi Sheal, no this is not possible. This is because of ‘Treatment as Prevention’. This means that while you are taking your own medication, there is no risk of further transmission. The ART in your body will prevent you being reinfected by someone else who is not taking treatment.
Hi,I’m HIV positive and I’m on Atripla and undetectable too.is it possible to reinfected with an other strain of HIV if i slept with a men how is HIV positive?i don’t know his status.we had anal sex for 1 minute without ejaculation.
please help.Thanks.
Yes.sorry for my bad english.i mean on my chest.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Shpat, do you mean ‘on’ your chest and stomach? If this is the case there is no risk.
Thanks for your reply.i mean he ejaculated in my chest and stomach.
Thanks for your help
Hi Shpat, no you are not at risk of a superinfection. Being adherent on your own medication acts like PrEP and can prevent further infections.
French kissing is not a risk for HIV transmission. What do you mean by him putting his semen in your skin?
Hello, I use Atripla for 5 years and I was undetectable last month.
I had a French kiss with a guy that don’t know his status and he put his semen in my skin.(we don’t have oral sex just Deep French kiss) Will I be at the risk of superinfection? I think I had a wound in my mouth. Please help me.
Thanks a lot.