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These are the most common questions.

Additionally, each link below links to a page of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on some of the most popular subjects.

It can be empowering to look through some of these Q&As before sending us a question. If your question is not already answered, we are very happy to still answer this individually.

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114 comments

  1. Precious

    I’m a HIV+ mom. since my son was 6 months old. He tested negative via PRC TEST that time and I was not breastfeeding him. Even though a sister promised that it is unlikely for him to become positive in future because i only breastfed him for two days after delivery but he has a recurring oral thrush and looks thin. How many chances that he will remain negative ? Plz be specific I’m worried.

  2. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Shirley,

    ARVs need to be taken whole. They should not be crushed. This is because they may not work as well. For more info about starting meds. Please see here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/starting

  3. Shirley

    I just start my ARV, is it ok to crush it?

  4. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Emma,

    No. When someone is HIV positive they will always test positive and this is even if they have an undetectable viral load.

  5. Emma

    Is it possible for some one adhering on his or her HIV medication and has undetecable viral load be tested negative when tested again for Hiv??

  6. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Tim,

    Info about PEP can be found here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/5255

  7. Tim

    Can I take PEP within 12 hours of having had anal sex as penetrating partner?

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Yak,

    As of yet there is no cure for HIV. People however are working very hard to try and develop one. For now, ARVs are the best thing to use. Its the ARVs that will control a persons HIV.

  9. Yak

    Any hope for a cure yet?

  10. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Ayangba,

    Yes it’s possible to take ARVs if you aren’t living with HIV. For more info please see here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/testing/pep-pepse-and-prep

    Once a person is HIV positive, they will always test positive. This is even if they are on ARVs. This is because the ARVs control the HIV, not cure it.