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:
--- Quote from: dextermorgan92 on September 17, 2024, 01:02:13 pm ---risk of superinfection is extremely low
--- End quote --- 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:
--- Quote from: dextermorgan92 on September 17, 2024, 01:21:40 pm ---Hoping nothing changes. : )
--- End quote --- 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 8) 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.