1/ "Undetectable = Untransmittable" can be an empowering message for people living with #HIV.
That said, we don't explain to patients that the studies leading to that slogan defined "undetectable" as a viral load less than 200.
Not less than 20, which is the current standard.
That said, we don't explain to patients that the studies leading to that slogan defined "undetectable" as a viral load less than 200.
Not less than 20, which is the current standard.
2/ So when people are stable on their HIV medications and see their viral load go up to 60, or 100, or 120...
Listen to and address the anxiety they feel, thinking they are not "undetectable" anymore.
Reassure them that they are and you will follow things closely.
Listen to and address the anxiety they feel, thinking they are not "undetectable" anymore.
Reassure them that they are and you will follow things closely.
3/
As clinicians, we need to do a better job explaining that these small increases in HIV viral load are called "blips."
Blips are common.
A. Doesn't mean the medications have stopped working.
B.. Doesn't always mean you are now "immune" to the meds.
catie.ca/en/positivesid…
As clinicians, we need to do a better job explaining that these small increases in HIV viral load are called "blips."
Blips are common.
A. Doesn't mean the medications have stopped working.
B.. Doesn't always mean you are now "immune" to the meds.
catie.ca/en/positivesid…
4/
Blips could mean:
A. That the dynamic between your immune system, HIV, and the HIV meds is a fluid battle.
B. That the lab test itself is slightly off in reading the amount of virus in your blood.
C. That the virus is briefly in low levels on the test at that moment.
Blips could mean:
A. That the dynamic between your immune system, HIV, and the HIV meds is a fluid battle.
B. That the lab test itself is slightly off in reading the amount of virus in your blood.
C. That the virus is briefly in low levels on the test at that moment.
5/
It is important to understand that as someone living with HIV, blips don't always mean that YOU have failed or that YOU aren't taking your meds correctly.
Sometimes scientific measures are imperfect.
Keep taking your meds.
Stay on course.
Repeat the test.
Ask questions.
It is important to understand that as someone living with HIV, blips don't always mean that YOU have failed or that YOU aren't taking your meds correctly.
Sometimes scientific measures are imperfect.
Keep taking your meds.
Stay on course.
Repeat the test.
Ask questions.
6/
Most importantly,
Don't hit the panic button just yet.
Speak with your medical provider honestly if seeing that blip is causing you anxiety.
Ask them to explain things to you.
You have that right.
cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/i…
Most importantly,
Don't hit the panic button just yet.
Speak with your medical provider honestly if seeing that blip is causing you anxiety.
Ask them to explain things to you.
You have that right.
cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/i…
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