Yeah I did mention to my doctor but I told him I would wait until my 6-month follow-up appointment with him after the 6-month lab tests are done. Partly because the rash is manageable with Zyrtec. I don't take it every day, only as needed when the rash flares up, and of course topical skin care products including lotions after showers. Will see how things go the next 2 months. It's also very possible that my body is adjusting to the strong triple regimen of Biktarvy, which is a god-sent therapy that helped most if not all patients to become undetectable very quickly and also raise the CD4 count to normal amount. Fingers crossed that the minor skin rash will eventually go away. My doctor doesn't think the virus causes the rash; however, now that the worst is behind me (CD 4 count is above 200 in a short time and continues to climb, and I'm no longer detectable after such a short amount of time), minor side effects are tolerable for now until we can figure it all out with time.

For my situation, I was very lucky to diagnose the infection before it gets worse. I never got sick, pneumonia or cancer or any Hepatitis prior to the diagnosis. I'm active - I've worked out 3 times a week on average. The test was done so that I could start taking PreP. I was shocked with the diagnosis, and even was scared with the first lab test of CD4 count which was very low at 86 (AIDS - late state), meaning I've had the virus somewhere 8-10 years.

I just hope that we'll see a cure in our lifetime but at least treatment like ART has improved so much within the last 3 decades.

I'd check into another medicine. At the same time. Give yourself time to heal. I had messy skin issues when I was first diagnosed. It's gonna be hard for a while to distinguish between conditions from a compromised immune system vs. a side. effect. Mention the rash to your doctor. I think that's one of the side effect your supposed to mention.

Following-

Oh shoot😟

I've been on biktarvi for a week and masking is wrecked and my CD4 count is 20, technically AiDS