Q and A

Question

My CD4 count is 15, what does that mean?

Answer

Hi,

Thanks for getting in touch.

CD4 count is one of the main tests used to monitor your HIV. The other is viral load.

The CD4 count tells you about your immune system. Results are given as cells per cubic millimetre (cells/mm3).

A CD4 count of 15 is very low – and puts you at risk of lots of infections.

The only way to increase your CD4 count is by using effective HIV meds (called ART). ART is so effective that even at very low CD4 counts you can have a good response.

If you have not yet started ART, it is important to talk to your doctor about starting now.

If you are already on ART, then you need to speak to your doctor about other drugs (antibiotics) to prevent other infections and other complications.

Good luck and please let me know if you have any more questions.

6 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Ajeet,

    If you’re referring to opportunistic infections, then no. Your CD4 is high. If you’re referring to other infections, could you please be more specific.

  2. Ajeet

    My cd4 is 630 will you PLEASE tell me can i get any infection… I am hiv positive since April 2019.also on ARV.

  3. Roy Trevelion

    Hi James,

    Do you mean CD4%. And are you talking about ARVs to bring this number up?

    In adults, a CD4 percentage of 12-15% is considered similar to a CD4 count of 200 cells/mm3. A percentage of 15-20% is similar to an absolute count of 300 cells/mm3. Please see this link for info about CD4%, CD4 and CD4:CD8 ratio.

    Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? What HIV meds are you taking.

    Please let us know.

  4. James

    My % cd 4 pos lymp is 18.9 . What is this number 4 ? Will Atr bring this number up?

  5. Roy Trevelion

    Thank you Cassandra, best wishes, Roy

  6. Cassandra

    I find this very informative

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