Hi Doctor,

I am a HBV carrier, and currently taking lamivudine 100mg every day. I had changed for E+ to E-, but my doctor wants me to continue to take lamivudine. It has been 8 years now. I may have a exposure to HIV 1.5 year before, and I just did a HIV test. The result is negative. However, I would like to know if long-term taking lamivudine, will delay the seroconversion?

Thanks!

Taking lamivudine will not delay HIV seroconversion.

Lamivudine does have activity against both hepatitis B and HIV infections, so can suppress (push down) the level of both viruses in the blood. This can affect the HIV viral load, or count of HIV viruses detected with a blood test -- but not HIV seroconversion which checks for an antibody, or protein, that the body makes if it is infected with HIV.

Talk to your doctor about how to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. If you became infected with HIV, your hepatitis B disease course could become more severe, among many other other things. It is not ideal to be on lamivudine alone for HIV, and your HIV could quickly become resistant to this medication. If you have ongoing risk for HIV, get tested frequently and again, work with your doctor to reduce your risk.