Risk of Reinfection?

[dextermorgan92]

I’ve been undetectable for over 10 years, but I hooked up with someone in January and recently found out he was positive and not on medication. I’ve read that the risk of superinfection is extremely low, but I’m still feeling anxious. I’ve retested and am waiting for the results to (hopefully) come back as undetectable still. Any insights on my risk level?

[leatherman]

risk of superinfection is extremely low

There is no such thing as "superinfection". If you are exposed to HIV, your own medications (especially having been UD for a decade) work as PrEP, stopping any HIV from "reinfecting" you.

Now if you HAD a viral load and weren't on medications, then you could be "more-infected" but not "re-infected". Your meds would probably still be active against the HIV you have in your system; however you might have to add more medication to work against the newer HIV if it had mutated against the meds you are taking.

What did you believe you were "retesting" for? Certainly not a regular HIV test that would only show that you are still HIV+. (Having an undetectable viral load does not mean you test HIV negative). Getting a new viral load wouldn't show anything as you have been undetectable. So I'm not sure what you were tested for.

You had no risk; but I hope, if you see your hook-up again,  that you would suggest they get onto medications ASAP and have the same health and protection as you do.

Hope that helps!
Michael

[dextermorgan92]

Leatherman,

Your other posts on these forums have been instrumental in making sure I have been somewhat sane. I know I am most likely going to be fine, but I still keep seeing articles about reinfection being a thing. Appreciate all you do for this community!

PS The labs I went for were for my twice a year check up to make sure I am still undetectable! Hoping nothing changes. : )

[leatherman]

Hoping nothing changes. : )

Ah. regular checkup. That's good.

I missed out earlier telling you a story about one actual case of reinfection. Both people were HIV+. Both people had untreated HIV. Both had high viral loads. Both people were in the hospital with AIDS....and somehow they still snuck into to each other's rooms and had unprotected sex multiple times.

how they did that I'll never understand. well, I understand how they did the sex  but not how they had the energy to have the sex! When I was in the hospital with AIDS it was all I could do to lift my head off the pillow, much less anything else lifting. None of my friends who were ever hospitalized had sex either. I know that because that's always one of the signs that you aren't dying of AIDS anymore - when you finally feel good enough to get laid again. I think everyone "brags" about getting their sexual mojo back

I think the latest report I read, maybe in 2018 or 2019, reported that there were only 15 cases across 4 continents for HIV reinfection. I would bet you good money that your 10 years worth of undetectable with meds kept you from becoming a very rare statistic.

[dextermorgan92]

Michael,

You've really put my mind at ease. I read that if superinfection were a significant issue, we'd see more cases of it. I've come across many people on dating apps who say they’re on PrEP or other medications, but for various reasons, they aren't. If superinfection were truly a major concern, it seems like we’d hear about it more often. What frustrates me is that when you search for information online, it often makes it seem like a serious risk, implying that I'll end up resistant to my medications. Hope you have a good day and thanks again for any reassurance you can provide.

[Jim Allen]

100% agree with Michael.

I can understand the concern and I know it is something others have asked about before

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=65688
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=71800
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=72283
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=74805
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=76005

You did not mention what meds you are taking but the meds would work as PrEP and daily PrEP has shown to have near 99% effectiveness, not to mention you are probably taking more meds than there are in PrEP.

The superinfection/reinfection topic reminds me of the nuns telling people they will go to hell for playing with themselves or that picking your nose will make your eyeballs fall out l 

Reinfection isn't a low-risk, generally, it's nonexistent. Very few cases, 16 or so in 80+ million cases of HIV, so that's a no-risk and those few cases that confirm the rule are mostly old and before treatment with the suspected multiple strains infections happening during the acute phase.

A real concern would be co-infections with other STIs. Use condoms, and talk to your healthcare provider about being vaccinated against HPV, Hepatitis A & B. Get an STI screening at least yearly.



How are you doing otherwise?

[dextermorgan92]

Hey Jim,

Hanging in there, Reading your posts about superinfection being doubted by some also helps reassure me. I've seen your posts and even shared some with friends who still believe in the "superAIDS" myth. They’ve really helped ease my mind, though I can’t shake the small worry that I might be that one-in-a-million case. I should get my lab results back soon, and if I'm undetectable, I’ll finally be able to put this concern to rest. I guess I might be a bit of a hypochondriac, but avoiding any HIV drug resistance is really important to me.

PS I worry about everything. Its driving me crazy. Its people like you and Michael who truly help!

[Jim Allen]

One in a million, no, wrong decade and treatment situation for those odds and stressing about SuperAIDS.

If you are on standard triple therapy you next results will remain below 200 copies.
What treatment are you taking?

[Jim Allen]

Code: [Select]

PS I worry about everything.

Sorry to hear that. You mentioned you have been on treatment for a decade so possibly HIV positive for longer. I bet most of the worries are about things outside of your direct control. Any of these worries coming true and did worrying about it makes things better 

Try to focus on what is within your control in life, so smile, laugh and enjoy it, Don't smoke, drink less, exercise more, eat a balanced diet , have sex, take your meds and stop worrying about "what is" that you can't change.

[dextermorgan92]

Thanks so much Jim! I am taking Dovato which I believe is only two medicines in one. Should I still be fine? Thanks for all your support!

[Jim Allen]

Should I still be fine?

From this incident regarding HIV, absolutely.

[dextermorgan92]

I am happy to report my results came back and I am 100% undetectable. Thank you both so much. Means a lot a lot. Have a great weekend and stay safe!

[Jim Allen]

👍

The sexual encounter was never going to change your VL lab results as there was no HIV risk in this situation, but I am glad the labs give you peace of mind.

[leatherman]

excellent!