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What is HIV?

Treating HIV

Living with HIV

Other health problems

For caregivers

For ASOs

Our commitment

Treatment breaks (or treatment "holidays")

Question:
What is your current viral load?
 
<50 or undetectable
51 - 500
501 - 5000
5001 - 10,000
>10,000
I do not know
   

 

Skipping doses of medicine can cause big problems

When you skip doses of HIV medicine:

  • You give HIV a chance to get worse. You want to keep the virus from making copies of itself so you don't get sick
  • The amount of medicine in your blood goes down. To work best, it needs to stay at the same level all the time
  • The virus in your body can change into new forms (strains) of HIV
    • The new strains of HIV may be drug resistant. This means that the virus may not be controlled by the medicines you take now or by those you may take in the future
    • When drug resistance happens, you may not have as many treatment options in the future

Talk with your healthcare provider before you stop taking your HIV medicines

When you have to take medicine for the rest of your life, it can be tough. You may feel that it is a hassle. Or you may feel like you are tired of coping with side effects. Your healthcare provider understands your feelings. Try to work closely with him or her. It can help you stay with your treatment. Be sure you know about the different types of HIV medicines. This way you can talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Next >> Switching medicines

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