Question
My viral load is now 1162 after switching treatment.
29 June 2022. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Changing treatment.
Hi, my name is Tia. I was diagnosed with HIV 20 years ago and started my ARVs 15 years ago. All these years I’ve been on TLE and virally suppressed. On March 2021 I was switched to TLD and VL became unsupressed from then as it my Vl is 1162 copies now instead of suppressed. It’s going high…I’m so frustrated.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
I understand why you are feeling frustrated. Have you had a second viral load test to confirm this?
Switching from TLE to TLD is very common and it would be rare for your viral load suppression to not continue.
Lab errors are the most common reason for increases in viral load like this. A second test would confirm if this is an actual increase or if a mistake was made.
It is also possible this was a viral load blip. Again, a blip this large is uncommon but it is possible. A second test would then confirm your status again and if your medication was working.
Were you ill or recently had a vaccine when your viral load test was done? Both of these can increase your viral load for a short time.
Do you know your current CD4 count?
Josh.
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