#AskTheHIVDoc: Is it too late to start HIV treatment?

#AskTheHIVDoc is a series of short explainer videos from Greater Than HIV featuring top HIV doctors covering all aspects of HIV from prevention (including PrEP) to diagnosis, care and treatment, as well as the basics.

In this installment, Dr. David Malebranche, MD, MPH, explains terms like CD4 and T-Cell, viral load and HIV undetectable. He also covers the basics of HIV treatment – why it matters, how it works, when to start – as well as covers getting into care and finding support.

These videos are provided for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

TRANSCRIPT:
So if you're sitting out there and you say ok, I was diagnosed with HIV three years ago, is it too late for me to start? Hell no, it's not too late for you to start.

Of course I wouldn't advise somebody when you get diagnosed with HIV to wait three years because then what's happening is that you're behind the eight ball.

The HIV is timed to damage some of your immune system cells, to reproduce, to keep reproducing itself over and over again. And then at that point you're going to have a tougher hill to climb to get things under control.

If you're taking your medication every day you should get to undetectable. But, again, remember sometimes it takes time

Whether it's immediately, whether it's a month later, whether it's a year later or three years later, it's never too late to start HIV treatment.