Question
Can I risk transmitting HIV if I miss my treatment for a day?
2 April 2023. Related: Adherence, All topics, HIV transmission.
Good day, Colin from USA. I have been on Biktarvy for 3 years and have been undetected for same period (3years). Recently I changed address causing everything to get displaced.
Within a week I moved I miss 1 dose and a few days I was late. I had unprotected sex with my partner within that week I messed up.
She felt sick a week later with flu like symptoms. Is it possible she got infected with HIV?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
As you were undetectable there is no risk to your partner. Viral rebound can take a week or more from being undetectable. Missing a single day is not long enough to risk your viral load being detected and being able to pass on HIV.
Even being late for a few days will not risk this. Biktarvy has a long half meaning it remains active in the body longer than 24 hours. This can account for occasionally being late.
Josh.