How long do antivirals take to work?

[jl13]

Does anyone know how long antivirals take to work? I'm not in a relationship, but do hang out with a "friend" every once in a while. He knows about me having H. But do you need the antivirals in your system for a while to be most effective? We hang out once in a blue moon. If I know we are going to hang out, I take the meds. But I just didn't know if they were just as effective the first day of taking them vs taking them for a few days to build up in your system. Hopefully this mess of a question makes sense! Thanks!

[mr_hopp]

Not effective until about a week of taking daily suppressive therapy; you need to give the meds a chance to move through the whole system and establish themselves.

[jl13]

Ok, thanks! That's what I figured, so good to know for sure! :)