How HIV treatment changes affect hidden drug-resistant virus

This research study is following people living with HIV whose virus is well-controlled on antiretroviral therapy to understand what happens to hidden, dormant copies of the virus when treatment is switched. Researchers will collect blood samples and use advanced genetic testing to look for drug-resistant strains of HIV that may be hiding in your body even though your viral load is undetectable. This information will help doctors make better decisions about when and how to change HIV treatment regimens.

Even when HIV medications work perfectly and your viral load becomes undetectable, the virus can hide in a dormant form in your cells and sometimes develop resistance to drugs. Doctors need to understand whether switching medications changes these hidden resistant copies and how that might affect your long-term health and treatment options.