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 Harold, I am sorry to hear how you were treated by the sisters. What is the name of treatment you were taking? and what was the side effects you were experiencing?
As I am sure you know, treatment is the best and only way to keep you healthy when HIV positive. However the treatment also needs to work for you and ensure you have a good quality of life. If you are experiencing side effects that are not being managed, continuing with your treatment is going to be more difficult until you stop.
Had you tried anything to help with these side effects? and were you able to speak to anyone else about your treatment apart from the sisters?
I stopped taking ARVs because of severe side effects,I tried to complain to the sisters at the clinic but they were defensive of the meds,am the one that was feeling the side effects, I know they are protecting their bread and butter but they are there because of us,they must also be part of a listening team
Hi Joseph, yes it will be okay for you to restart again. Do you want to start treatment at the same clinic you were previously? and have you had any CD4 count/viral load testing since you stopped treatment?
It would be advised that when restarting treatment you have a viral load test a few weeks after treatment. This is to check that your treatment is still working.
How has your health been for the last year?
Am H.I.V positive and after taking ARVs for almost one year I stooped due to some movements. Its almost a year from the time I stopped, so is fine for me to restart again.
Hi Tshengie, yes you can restart your medication. While you have been off treatment have you had any viral load/CD4 tests?
Are you still able to go to the same clinic where you got your medication from originally.
When restarting your treatment, it will be important that you have a viral load test a few weeks after. This is to make sure that your treatment is still working and it is still able to suppress HIV.
If you haven’t already, getting a CD4 count will also be needed to check how your immune system is doing. If HIV is damaged it over the last year you may need some more treatment to help as your immune system recovers.
Hi I stopped taking my HIV medicine on last year June 2022 coz I traveled to another country,so now I want to know can I restart to take my medicine or its too late,bt I dnt have any complications in my body I’m feeling fyn and strong
Hi Esther, herbal medicine has no evidence to support it being able to treat HIV.
ARVs are the only proven way to treat HIV. ARVs are used to suppress HIV and prevent it damaging your immune system.
Only using herbal medicine will not be able to suppress HIV and it will impact your health. How long have you not been taking ARVs? Was there any specific reason that caused you to stop with your treatment?
I stopped taking ARVs because I’m using herbal medicine,is it okay?
Hi Pamela, yes it is okay to continue with treatment? Have you kept up with your viral load/CD4 tests? As you have not taken your medication since March it is likely your viral load has rebounded. It will be importnat to test your viral load a month or two after restarting treatment. This is to check that the medication is still working.
Is there a reason you stopped treatment in March?
Hi I tested last year November and the results came back positive I started the treatment immediately but then this year March I stopped is okay to continue with the treatment.?