Question
Is it okay to restart ART during my studies?
22 March 2023. Related: Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, Resistance.
Hi I need guidance. I am 23 years old and I was born HIV positive. I stopped my art treatment when I lost mom, because she was the only person I had. Since 2018 till now I haven’t been going for art treatment. But I want to restart, my fear is that I’ll be resistant to the drugs or maybe I might be worse that I am. Am a student, wont restarting art affect my studies? Please I really need help and guidance. Will I be okay if I restart my treatment now? How bad will the side effects be? And I don’t know my CD4 count but I think it’s low and am scared. Please guide me. I need help…
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
I am sorry to hear about your mum passing.
Resistance to treatment isn’t a common thing. Even though it has been a while since you have been on treatment, it is still more likely that your treatment will work. What were you taking before you stopped?
Did you have side effects on this treatment before? The side effects would be the same as what you had before, if you had any. 5 years is not going to change the side effects you experience. If you could tolerate the drug before, it would be expected that there will be no problem to take again and it will not have an effect on your studies.
Without starting treatment again it is impossible to know about resistance. Even if it has occurred and you are now resistance, there are other options of treatment that may be more suited. The best thing you can do is start treatment again and work from there. Are you thinking of going back to your old clinic?
Josh.
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