Question
I missed my meds for 4 days, will I be OK?
7 May 2019. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I’m traveling for work and forgot my meds…Meaning I will miss 4 doses of Biktarvy
My viral load has been undetectable for nearly 10 years now and I am otherwise in very good health… so how dangerous is missing 4 doses?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Meds needs to be taken every day to make sure that there are always good drug levels in your body, Getting the timing right means you still have good levels when you come to taje the next dose. This is for week day and weekends, every day in the year.
Luckily though, as drugs have become better, they also provide cover if you are sometimes late.
Though missing four days is not good, you should be okay. This is because after ten years, levels of HIV will be very very low. If you do this often though, you might develop drug resistance.
Your partners will also be okay from this time. It usually takes a couple of weeks for a viral load to rebound. As soon as you get home, make sure that you take your meds. If possible you may want to have your viral load checked.
Hello Thabang and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear about your experiences and I completely understand feeling so vulnerable.
However, I feel I should remind you, how strong and brave you are.
Sharing your story with us shows great character, love for life and among all a very generous soul.
Thank you for that.
Please do not worry about your medication.
Missing two days of your tablets doesn’t compromise your health or your treatment.
I wish you all the best for the future and please feel free to stay in touch if you feel we can help.
I have been taking ARVs since 2024 September. I got infected due to rape, so now I am out of province for two days and just realised that I forgot my medication. What should I do? I am scared.
I find it very painful every time I have to go for checkup. It reminds me of how I started this journey. I have been in and out of counselling but no improvement. I just cry sometimes even at work I would just breakdown
Hi Patience, it is great you are doing well on ART and taking your meds on time. Doe your boyfriend have an undetectable viral load? If yes, then he is lucky and the meds are able to cover the different time he takes them. If his viral load is still detectable though he might be developing drug resistance. This will not be good for his long-term health. If his viral load become very high, there is a chance this can be transmitted to you. Plese try to ask him about his viral load if you are worried.
Me and my boyfriend are both positive. I take my mec every day on time and he doesn’t take his on time and sometimes he skips days. Could i be worried with my vural load