Worried

[Lolicious]

My partner is  and has been so for 5 years. We only met two years ago and immidiately fell in love. I was aware of his status then but i didn't bother me. I'm - and over the two years we've been together, i still test negative. We've had about 2 high risks in the last year and for both i took PEP for 28days. This year we had a condom burst and again we went for PEP. Its been two weeks now since i've started taking it and yesterday we had unprotected sex, which was wrong i know. What i need to know is that can one develop resistance to Combivir seeing its my third time in our relationship taking it?

[strata]

This is something that you ought to discuss with your partner's HIV specialist...

Here's my take:

You (i.e., your body) does not develop resistance to Combivir (or other ARVs). Resistance is a characteristic of the HIV virus. The bigger question is whether your PARTNER has developed resistance to Combivir (and thus potentially transmitted resistant virus to you). This is something that he and/or his HIV specialist should know and have tested for. If he is, you should be taking different meds or a more potent combination (e.g., Combivir + a PI) for your PEP. I believe the current recommendations are for 3 drug PEP (e.g., Combivir + a PI, like Kaletra) for riskier exposures like receptive anal sex.

You also need to extend PEP for 28 days from your most recent unprotected encounter. PEP has been shown to fail when discontinued before 28 days, or when there are additional exposures after the exposure for which PEP was prescribed.

If you are self-PEPing using your partner's meds, you need to see an HIV specialist (likely the same one as your partner) for appropriate care ASAP.

Things to consider:

Partner's viral load
Partner's meds (or lack thereof)
Any resistance developed by partner's HIV
Other STDs your partner has
Other STDs you have
Time between exposure and starting PEP
Adherence to PEP regimen

It sounds like you've been playing with fire. Requiring PEP 4x in a year (including your most recent, intentionally unprotected episode) indicates that you ought to protect yourself better. PEP is NOT 100%, and the odds are significant that you will contract HIV if you continue to have numerous unprotected exposures each year with an HIV+ partner. Your partner should understand this, too.

And having an HIV+ partner, you ought to know as well as anyone that, despite the breakthrough medications, HIV (and the meds) is no picnic. There are health concerns, constant testing, toxic meds, and high medical bills.

Protect yourself properly, and you can expect to live HIV- AND have a great sex life despite having an HIV+ partner.

Best wishes.

[Lolicious]

Thank you for your reply, it really makes sense. Yes, i have been playing with fire in the name of love but i will take care of myself better from now on.

Much appreciated.


Rgds,