Hi Doc,

I'm a Muslim and HIV+. Not too sure if you're familiar with the rituals within the Muslim month of Ramadhan where abled Muslims are required to fast from dawn till dusk (approximately from 0500hrs to 1900hrs). As such, we are to restrain ourselves from food and water and any other consumable items.

Yet at the same time, Islam is flexible enough to excuse its followers who's considered "sick" (like HIV+ like us) to take his/her medication as well.

However, in view of these factors, I am caught in a predicament where I would like to continue fasting without any consumption of item that includes my meds within that period of restrain (dawn till dusk). But at the same time, I am also concerned if I am required to take my meds twice a day as well.

So my question is would my viral load and CD4 levels be any way compromised should I were to take my meds only once a day during the fasting month.

Please advice.

You don't indicate what your CD4 count and viral load results are, and more importantly, what HIV regimen you are currently taking. Many HIV meds and combinations can be taken once daily. Depending on what you are taking you could change to once daily without any compromise. However, some meds must be taken more than once daily and taking them once a day will compromise their activity.