Question
Should I postpone a romantic evening after missing my medication?
27 July 2022. Related: Access to treatment, Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
I’ve been undetectable a little over a year now. The pharmacy got lines crossed with my doctor and I haven’t had my meds for 3 days. My boyfriend and I had a romantic evening planned. Should I postpone it? If today is my second dose after the three day gap?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
As you are undetectable, 3 days is not likely to cause risk to your partner.
Most HIV medication works for longer than 24 hours – the active amount in your body remains for a while longer. This means your medication is still going to work for a bit more time.
Being undetectable means HIV is very well suppressed. This also means that it will take time for it to rebound and be detectable – this is usually about a week after stopping medication.
3 days is not going to be a long enough time for your viral load to increase significantly. This means there is no risk to your partner. If you remain concerned using a condom will prevent any risk of transmission.
Josh.
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