Question
What are the effects of not taking ARVs if you are HIV-positive?
7 June 2011. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.
Answer
In general, most people who do not use ARVs will slowly develop a weaker immune system.
This is shown by a CD4 count that drops. At counts below 200 the risk of serious illnesses increases.
Treatment is recommended ion most guidelines before the CD4 count drops below 350.
At higher CD4 counts, ARVs are not usually used.
Hi John, why is this something you are thinking about? If you stop your medication for 2 years, HIV will be able to have a significant impact on your body. This is explained here: https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/12-cd4-count-cut-offs-and-the-risks-of-opportunistic-infections/
If you were to chose to go back on your medication there would also be the risk of resistance. This means your original medication may not work and you may have to try different medication. This is not always available and your HIV may become difficult to treat. This is explained further here: https://i-base.info/guides/starting/resistance
I was wondering, what would happen if, theoretically, I were to stop taking my ARVs for a couple of months after being undetectable for almost 2 years?
Hi Christine, have you had a recent viral load and CD4 count test? and what medication were you taking? Do you remember the name?
Hi…I was diagnosed with HIV positive last year September. 2021..started taking immediately th art meds but since Feb 2022 th side effects were so much I stopped as it made sick at nite…I’m kinda worried bout my cd4 count but doing pretty well..
Hi Bell, have the doctors said anything while in hospital? We are not doctors at i-base and can’t comment on health outside of HIV.
Do you know your fathers CD4 count and viral load?
my father is an alcohol addict and i am not sure if he has been taking his medications regularly. he has been admitted in hospital presenting with weakness and diarrhea and there is still no improvement after 6 days at the hospital. What could be the issue?
Hi Gerad, it is great that your brother wants to continue. Hopefully there will not be a problem. Has your brother gone back to his previous clinic to get his medication?
As he has been off ARVs for a while, after restarting he will need to get a viral load test to make sure the medication still works.
My young brother stoped taking ARVS for about 3 months because of his upsence in the region where medication are available.
Now he wants to continue ,what’s will be the problem
Hi Mariam, can I ask why you stopped? ARVs are the only way of keeping your CD4 count up and viral load suppressed. Not taking medication means HIV can kill the CD4 counts and means your immune system will not be as healthy as it could be.
Each time medication is stopped and started it increases the risk of HIV resistance. This meaning if you choose to go back on medication, your previous combination may not work as well – if at all.
Have you discussed you stopping with your doctor? If you were experiencing difficult side effects there may be other options available to you.
i tested hiv in 2019 and was positive then started taking arvs after a short period i stopped taking them then started again but now i stopped what is going to happen to me