edosignature: Note... CD4 can't be 154 cells/ul & Viral Load will be Undetectable (TND), it's not possible sir.
I'll advice you go for a repeat of VL, CD4 & Urea,Creatinine evaluation.
I repeat it's not possible to have a 154 CD4 & VL read TND. There is a mixup some a here or the drugs combination have failed.
Is the person on TLD combination ?
The CD4 test was conducted in March 2021 the day he was tested positive before he started ARV. He started ARV April 1 2021 and by July 15 2021his first viral load test was conducted and it was 39. By September 2021 another viral load test was conducted and it was TND. By May 2022 another viral load test was conducted and it was 47. Since March 2021 when a CD4 test conducted, another one has not been done.
He takes his drug religiously. He has not fallen sick. He is healthy, fit as a fiddle and fully robust. No one knows his status but only me his bosom friend. His concern is why would he go from TND to 47 when he takes his drug strictly as instructed.
edosignature: 47 is still undetectable, depends on the analyser being used. There are some analyzers that detect below 50 & some can detect below 20. So your friend VL standing still at 47 is a good result.
Question...
1- Does he takes alcohol & it likes ? Alcohol impedes the high effectiveness of the drugs.
Taking the drugs judiciously as prescribe is a good steel for life to attain 99% Viral suppression.
2- Is your friend on other drugs that might interfere with the his ARVs ?
3- What is his Last CD4 ?
Thanks.
He doesn't take alcohol at all. He is not on other drugs as well, except probably when he treats malaria once in a while and he usually give a three hour interval based on instruction. 47 is virally suppressed but his earlier result was TND. So what has changed since he takes his ARV as instructed? Can he infect his spouse with this kind of viral load? As for CD4, I will find out.
Megabig: In my study, less than 50 is still suppressed and can’t transmit ,most people I know use less than 20 as well.
But I believe 47 is still can’t transmit but I’ll advice you to follow the doctors instruction. There is a huge difference between transmitting and undetectable, one can be detected but can’t transmit. But it’s safest to be undetectable and that is totally not able to tranmit.
In my case, if I’m above 20, I’ll fight to ensure it’s still below 20 .
Kindly explain what u mean by one can be detected but can't transmit.
edosignature: I work with LUTH. & my major are Epidemiology & Disease control.
I take care of HIV & AIDS patients. Fear no more brotherly, send her to LUTH., (APIN) HIV clinic & all treatment & medications are free.
You can send me a DM and I'll share my number with you.
LUTH... Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
How reliable is the viral load testing being carried out in the lab? My friend who tested positive March last year, started ARV by April 1. By July he was called to come for viral load test, the result came out 39, which means he was virally suppressed. By September last year he did another viral load test and was not detected. He was glad. By May this year, he did another viral load test, he went to check his result yesterday, the test read 47. We met yesterday and he is very sad. He don't skips his drug. He takes it 7 in the morning everyday and he believes his result should still be undected and not 47. He is marrying November, he is worried that he won't infect his wife someday. He takes his drug with strict adherence to all instructions given him in the clinic. Why from undected to 47? Please educate us sir.
Megabig: A medical professional will advice better, they will change his drugs regardless. Detectable means detectable, I won’t want him to risk having sex without condoms all in the name of nutting outside, just ask him to have sex with condoms if he must wed soon. Prevention is better than stories that touch, at least we know the issue and can easily avoid an upcoming problem which is also a probability in my opinion. I can only advice from my experience, but please a doctor should have the ultimate say in this situation.
But 47 is virally suppressed and can't transmit, am I right?
Megabig: He should meet his medical professional for advice, they probably have to switch his drugs for him, I’ve been undetected since the first time I became undetectable, I take my drugs daily at no specific time, no strict precaution or adherence at all, I miss sometimes and I just move on and say it’s ok(which is not a good practice), they need to change his pills, it is nothing to worry much about I mean below 50 is not far off, he should just be nice to himself, he’s trying. Think less about it, visit the doctor and explain or instead do another viral detection in another clinic to confirm that also. He should also have sec with condoms even after he marries, so he won’t be in a bigger mess.
Having sex with condom not possible, how will he explain that to his spouse especially when they would be trying to have an issue. Below 50 is fine, but his target is to remain undetected forever. He is faithful with taking his drug and should not be having a challenge of viral load going from undetected to 47, that's not his wish.
Megabig: Sorry about that, there is nothing to fear, sometimes an ARV may not be compatible with your body, just tell your doctor something’s that have changed since you started taking the drugs, he will immediately change pills for you. Sometimes also you adjust to it as well, but I’ll advice that you speak to the doctor. Be happy, there is nothing to fear at all. Ensure you also have at least ibroprofen or any pain med so that you can take it once you start having pains.
Regardless of the stage of HIV, it doesn’t matter, the only thing is to start medication and you will live your life to the fullest, just change medication and you are good
How reliable is the viral load testing being carried out in the lab? My friend who tested positive March last year, started ARV by April 1. By July he was called to come for viral load test, the result came out 39, which means he was virally suppressed. By September last year he did another viral load test and was not detected. He was glad. By May this year, he did another viral load test, he went to check his result yesterday, the test read 47. We met yesterday and he is very sad. He don't skips his drug. He takes it 7 in the morning everyday and he believes his result should still be undected and not 47. He is marrying November, he is worried that he won't infect his wife someday. He takes his drug with strict adherence to all instructions given him in the clinic. Why from undected to 47? Please educate us sir.
Megabig: Clearly means a husband “cannot” transmit hiv to the wife, a wife doesn’t need prep, she just ensure the husband takes his daily anti retroviral that’s all, infact to go back to being detectable, it takes weeks or months of not taking the pill so there is a strong protection there. You can read more on that too
If a person who is undetected careless have sex with a person who has the virus but not yet on treatment, what would be the implication? Does he risk be infected again or his daily drug would still protect him?
Megabig: Yes, all are very effective, some people react to some and get a switch, that’s why people are asked to notify their providers if they notice any change once they start.
If a husband is undected and consistent on usage of his medication, does his partner still needs to be Prep before sexual dealings?
Megabig: The injection is new I believe, I saw the advert on tv and I spoke with my doctor, she said I can get it if I want but from only places accessible, it’s not in every clinic in America, I don’t have problems taking my daily dose, it’s more like a ritual to me, I don’t hide it at all because I live on my own too. Nigerians are still taking triumeq which I can remember was dropped by most clinics in US for years, it’s not that it’s bad but you know as there are more researches, you constantly have more pills available as well, Attached is a drug chart from 2019 and 2021, you will notice a huge difference and the injection was added in 2021, as things change, drug excesses are then shipped to countries that can’t afford the most modernized ones, they aren’t bad but advance countries prioritize their people first which is obviously a good thing, a nurse reached out to ask if I can come pick up drugs and send to agencies in Nigeria, but I’m not willing to do that at this time because I want to remain discreet. With time, the injection will reach Nigeria(maybe in 4 years) but by then, they may have gotten a new injection which can be taken just once in 1 year…
What they presently use in Nigeria is commonly referred to as TLD. Exceptionally effective and without side effect. You may read it up to see its components.
Megabig: I’ll start Cabuneva from next month, it is an injection taken once every two months so I won’t be needing pills anymore, but right now I’m on Biktavir
This would b a great relief for you. You opted for the injection or your care provider did? How effective is the injection? This option seems not to be in Nigeria at the moment.
Megabig: So people make money off Hiv patients by inducing them with fear, then get sponsorships abroad and make more money, so I opened peoples eyes from lots of things, some reached out to collaborate with me in sending more out of date pills from US clinics and I refused, 2 threatened to find my family and deal with me if I try to expose them. A couple were selling stems cells too and said it heals Hiv which is false, they are probably making so much money from rich people in Nigeria, said I should delete the thread or they come for me. That’s an organization on its own, I think one of their clients saw my tread and send a personal message, then went to their office to fight, the dude sent me an email that he has spent almost 11 million on his daughter, it’s been almost 2 years and I told him to go start his daughter with ART after doing a test in Nigeria to know their viral load and all, got his mail last Thursday from him, they are at peace and so happy,the daughter have started his daily single pill and he literally begged to speak with me on the phone to thank me but I didn’t give out my number yet, I’m not scared of those thieves that benefit from hiv patients…
chikason22: No you don't take it for life. That's why I said when you pass the first stage of compulsory intake of the drugs, at the second stage when you are nearing the stage at which you won't be able to infect anyone again. You don't need to take it fo life. This is because your viral load is now low. The HIV virus at that stage can't replicate DNA anymore so it won't infect health body cells anymore. Remember cell is the unit of life. So if your cells are infected with an incurable disease such as HIV and you don't do anything to control. Gradually, your health begin to decline and can lead to one's death. So, you don't have to take the drugs for life if your viral load is low. It's going to be once in a while. Just eat good food and treat yourself when you fall sick. That's all.
Misinformation sir. I have read widely on this issue and my best guy tested positive to the virus last year March. The drug usage is daily and for life at the moment. You stop taking your pill, the viral load goes up. That u are now undetected does not mean u stop taking your pill.Some health experts even insist that the pill is taken at same time every day. My friend was virally suppressed as at June last year, his viral load was 39, less than 50. As at September, he was already undetected. He has done another test last week and still awaiting his result. For emphasis, the pill is daily whether virally suppressed or not.
chikason22: Any HIV patient that has a viral load of 10ml/copies can not infect anyone. The virus will be in it inactive stage and can no longer transmit or replicate DNA. Your answer is capital letter YES. YOU can marry and have non HIV children. So that's why you don't need to panic when you find out you're positive. Early detection give you less time to treat it or put it in it inactive stage of which you can't infect anyone anymore but can contract it from someone again though the virus may still be in your system but inactive. Thanks
Educative. But the problem is the compulsory daily usage of the drug for life and its side effects. What your say on this?
chikason22: Bro let me tell you. HIV is not a death sentence. You can live as long as you want. Just eat healthy foods take your Antiretroviral medication. When you pass the first stage of the virus treatment/management, the second stage should present you with a low viral load in which you can't infect anyone again. HIV treatment and management is free. Don't hide it, go for your treatment at any government or general health center for your treatment. Eat well and don't skip medication after commencement. Exercise regularly to boost your immune system. Eat lots of fruits also. Good luck to her. NB Never you discriminate against people living with HIV. Sharing toilet, spoon, eating utensils, cloths, towel etc can not get you infected. The virus can be transmitted through blood, Fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid etc. It can't be contracted through saliva. Give your sister all this information and also endeavour to carryout regular test especially for malaria and typhoid for her due to the fact that her immune system is already compromised. Good luck to her.
Can such a person who now has low viral load according to, get marry and have children? What are the dangers ?
Megabig: Lies, there is no proven fact on this, the time of Covid, I had a zoom call with my medical professional to ask if I should take it or not, she told me to go ahead and get the vaccine, I specifically asked if I should take anything else, she said I will need ibruprofen for pains after the vaccine and it wouldn’t stop me from taking my pills, I take my pill daily and at anytime I want so there is nothing to discuss on paracetamol stopping anything…
Megabig: Rubbish, not the same thing said here, that’s how they subjected people into taking ARV at a specific time daily while it just says ensure you take it daily. ARV should never be stopped for any reason. You can ask for details of the particular Covid vaccine and read the precautions yourself.
If u can, kindly upload the full video of Osibanjo speech. I was unable to watch it as i have to put off my gen by 12 AM in compliance to my estate rule. Really sad not watching him, he is my man.
Megabig: Why will I stop ARV after I took the vaccine, ARV comes first… Also I have been vaccinated fully and before that, I was told by my doctor that I will hardly catch the virus because I’ve been on ARV for years which fights HIV and other infections therefore I have a strong body resistance than other people. But he advised I should take it anyway
Over here, covid 19 vacinators are telling people not to take any medication except paracetamol) for at least three days after being vaccinated, so the medication do not interfere with the working of the vaccine. Confusion!
Also, everything I stated is based on my personal experience and Research but I do also love people speaking with their medical professionals for best advice
Bro, have u taken the covid 19 vaccine? If u have, did you stop taking your ARV for some days as at the time you took the vaccine?
Megabig: yes, that’s what the septrin was for, one daily and it was like nothing because it was so tiny, learnt TB starts from cough so they gave that to prevent it while checking my CD4 to ensure it never goes below 400 so as to start me with an antiretroviral. I was never given Antiretroviral that until I moved to Abj where they said I have to start regardless of my CD4. Their motive at ABj is to get everyone to an undetectable status which was great.
The septrin is basically to prevent opportunistic infections, the one they gave my friend was not tiny, he used it with the one to prevent TB for six months, when he became undectable they discontinued both. The one for TB prevention is Isoniazid (Google it pls). They also included tab pyridoxine 50mg which he took with the Isoniazid to prevent it from having severe effect on him.
Megabig: Totally nothing to worry about. He should take more water which is obviously healthy, normally the color of urine should be pale yellow abi? Once the doctor mentioned that, I think it’s nothing to worry about.
This thread seems to be the most comprehensive as far as HIV is concerned here in Nairaland. When u started your treatment, were u given pills to prevent TB ?
Megabig: they need to, I really appreciate Nigerian doctors who work with what was delivered to them, one thing I realized is that our Nigerian doctors are more learned in most fields than their counterparts abroad. They are well domesticated in their field as against people abroad who use machines to solve everything, that’s why they easily survive once they travel abroad, if you bring the doctors abroad to manage the tools used in Nigeria, they will fail woofully. Also, the doctors in Nigeria are dealing with patients who will rather listen to roadside hustlers or their pastors than the doctor who specifically is to take care of them, isn’t it crazy? One thing I figured out from my treat too is, once something is offered free, people will never be too serious with it. Try put certain restrictions or make it a bit difficult to get and see them fall over to access it. This is exactly what is happening with people being told to take their drugs at a specific time, imagine telling a Nigerian from the start of treatment to take the drug anytime they want but daily, they will abandon it. Brooooo I did the same. To ensure compliance and control, certain info needs to be passed to enable people obey them. I’m just being overly raw because I’ve recieved a lot of mails from people and I’m stunned at what they do. Someone said he missed for three days and had to take 4 pills the following day, I’m like why? I realized too, they don’t like directing questions to their medical professionals, maybe the doctors aren’t friendly or they are just scared. During my days in Nigeria, I don’t ask the doctor too because I was always blaming myself but from what I know now, I can climb on their table to make sure I get the answer I need. And also, almost all the answers are on the internet if further research is done. But trust me, people will never research. That’s how it is
One worry of my friend, is that since he started taking TLD April 1 2021, his urine has always b yellowish in colour. He had told care givers at the hospital, they said nothing to worry about. Do u also have this challenge?
Megabig: Brother brother brother brother, again I said, there is no scientific prove that taking the drug at a specific time is the best way, go and read more about it. Drug resistance is caused by pausing for days, then starting again and stopping again. People should take their drugs “daily”……If anyone misses, they should tell their doctor on the next visit, I can’t put unverified facts here, I’ve missed sometimes too and I’ve told my doctor. There was a time I flew to Florida and missed taking my pill for 4 days, I was so angry because I shouldn’t forget that, that’s 4 days in a whole month and I came back and continued. Again I told my doctor and In most cases, they advice that I don’t miss it. In the whole of 2020, I missed taking my drugs 16 times, 2021 I missed 7 times, 2019 I missed 13 times. I kept those details. Remember that’s a whole year and I’m significantly congratulated for that. I don’t want to miss my drugs for a day because I’m undetectable. Again from what I have researched and what my doctors adviced, you can check yourself, drug resistance is not caused my taking your pills daily, it is caused by constant miss and continue. I can’t put out thing here to endanger peoples life’s, I’m here to help people because I’ve been in certain difficult situations and have survived.
Please don’t say what I didn’t say…
Thanks
Modified: Some Hiv medications are twice daily, people are adviced to set a time for morning and evening to take them so they don’t jam pack both at a particular time daily. With my own pill, I take it anytime but must not miss a day. It is hard not to miss but I’ve seen people go over a whole year not missing it and that’s amazing…
This is novel and informative. Care givers in Nigeria really needs to up their game.
Megabig: Thanks for understanding your friend. I can tell you that experience is the best teacher. I’ve been there and done that. He should not be worried at all. The best he can do is to take the pill daily and not miss. I work in an office and I have mine at work and at home. Once I forget to take before going to work, I’ll take during lunch at work, sometimes I wait till night to take. It’s important not to always miss it. This is my 11 years being undetectable. Your friend is not aware of the kind of gift he has being undetectable. He should worry less, take his drugs “daily” and mind his business. There is scientific prove that the drug must be taken at a specific time. I’m positive and I’m telling you that too. That rule was set for very uneducated people to scare them and make them take their pill all the time because if you tell them to take it anytime, they will be carefree and skip when they want. The best way to ensure compliance is to set a rule right? My doctor told me that. You can also read articles online as well. Also, he is undetectable and cannot transmit. There is zero chance of him giving it to someone else, that means the viral load can not be measured because it’s too tiny. Less worry means more health. Even a hiv negative person goes ill or looses weight when under stress and full of thoughts, but of course people can attribute anything to being positive. Again, it’s my 11 years and more being undetectable , I’ve also changed pills from one to the other. All the pills I took was just anytime during the day.
Best,
At your usual prescribed time as stated in your second Google material contradicts your assertion that the pill can be taken at any time. I want this issue thoroughly explained so as not to put people in the danger of drug resistance. Are u implying one can take the pill 7AM on Monday, 2pm on Tuesday, 11AM on Wednesday, 8pm on Thursday, 8AM on Friday and so on? This is dangerous bro.
Megabig: The same time same day rule was applied Nigeria which is just a lie, they just made the rule to ensure people are taking their pills, when I migrated, I came to US with 2 bottles and my doctor said I should be taking it still, when I told him how, he said it’s just bullshit, that I should take when convenient that’s all.He mentioned at least daily but a day skip won’t hurt, but then I should try to stick to taking it.so it’s crazy how people are made to be scared back home. In terms of long term effect, I learnt Truvada has a long term associated effect of liver or kidney problem, when I discussed that too with my doctor, he said every pill we take have a long term effect, it’s just with the drug laws that they will specifically list effects too. So it’s nothing I should worry about. This is my 12 years, I’m good man. The older people I met and conversed with didn’t die from their pills. Things I was warned about was, avoid pastors and miracle workers who will convince me to abandon my drugs and wait for holy ghost to cure me, that is the only time they lost their friends. So far no other stories
Many thanks bro. My friend tested positive last March. He has been on TLD since April 1 2021. He is more healthier than I, he looks robust, fresh and has a glowing skin. I'm the only he confided in because we are like brothers, he is yet to tell his girl. His last viral load test as at September last year was undectable. He don't miss his drugs, whenever he takes his pill just few minutes after his usual 7 AM time, he becomes worried, saying that may affect his undectable status. According to him, they were told to take the pill at the same time everyday, your statement as to timing differs. Why different rule in different country?
Megabig: All you need do is type “Is hiv drugs free” and get all you need. I don’t know if you can’t read or you enjoy blabbing. Have you been paying for your pill? Send me a mail if you have and I’ll direct you on what to do… Hiv pills if to be sold goes for over a thousand dollars monthly, do you think I’ll afford that and I’ll come here and blab? How will I survive Niaja if I have to pay for it? You are just ignorant… run along
Your post is quite revealing. Talk about the long term side effect of the drug if any. I learnt what they use now is TLD. How effective is it? I also learnt the drug must be taken same time everyday. Difficult rule!
shamsin6300: Look for extra 100k to make it #500k Get your container and open a provision shop in a busy environment. And also, involve into selling of recharge card even though there's no much gain but it will attract customer to your shop.
Provision market for a young graduate seeking for a livelihood is a capital no. The capital will vanish into thin air in no distant time. No single profit in that business. You buy a carton of cowbell milk roll for eleven thousand five hundred and you make a profit of one thousand naira. Disaster! An Okrika seller can get clothes of 20k and make a profit of 20k. Provision business is thrash.
Health › Re: I Just Found Out My Sister Is An HIV Patient : Please Help by LKO(m): 7:01am On Sep 12, 2022
? I realized too, they don’t like directing questions to their medical professionals, maybe the doctors aren’t friendly or they are just scared.