Question
I tested positive, when will i start treatment?
19 November 2015. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, South Africa, Starting treatment.
Last month i tested positive but i’m not taking any ARVs. They said it is too early. I want to know what its means in South Africa. When im going to start ARVs?
Answer
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
Recommendation for starting are different depending on where in the world you live.
In some countries, HIV treatment (ART) is only recommended after your CD4 count drops below a certain level. The CD4 count is a marker you how well your immune system is doing.
In South Africa this is currently when you CD4 is close to or below 500.
however, in December 2015, the World Health organisation guidelines changed to remove the CD4 criteria. They now say that everyone with HIV should start treatment.
This change is going to take time though to filter down to individual countries. If your CD4 count is currently higher than 500, you should not worry if you don’t immediately start. There is only realtively small risk of waiting till 500 cmpared to starting immediately.
You can find information about being newly diagnosed on our website.
And information about starting treatment in our guide.
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