hurtmom618

[hurtmom618]

Since finding out my 18 yr old son has been diagnosed last night I am searching for helpful information so that I can support him.

What is a safe viral load count? He is being treated with Antripla.
What does "undetected" really mean when they say it is low?

[justnotsure123]

Hello. I would love to answer this question but unfortuanatly I cannot. I do know that ann undetected viral load is where you wanna be, so your son is in a good place right now. I think Teak who has been living with this for 25+ years could give you a really good answer to this, or Lizzie Lou as well as she is in the same position you are in. I will pray for you, your son and your family. This is not the end of the world. With treatment, he will live a long, normal life. I wish you all the best.

[hurtmom618]

Yes, it does help. I will keep researching, because I want to, need to, be educated and I now realize I'm not. Is there an ideal viral load count though?

[AFJ777]

Firstly, I cannot imagine how upset you are right now :( but honestly, don't get too upset because there are many, many things modern medicine can do to help those with HIV and your son WILL live a long, normal life - especially as the Doctor saw it early :)
Secondly, a safe viral load count is where there is not enough of the HIV virus present in the blood to be detected and therefore means that the virus hasn't damaged his immune system :)
However, it does mean that your son is still infectious, i'm afraid, so he has to be careful with all sexual encounters/blood donations/whatnots, so don't let the term "undetectable" fool you :)
And as for support, the fact that you are researching his condition and taking an avid interest is evidence of how much of a rock you will be to him. I hope some of this has helped :)
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