Question
Should I start treatment early?
I have been HIV positive for about 3 years and until a few months ago was asymptomatic. Because of fatigue and night-sweats, my doctor has suggested starting HIV treatment despite the fact my CD4 count is over 600 and my viral load about 10,000. I intend to try and manage my symptoms without medication first, and will then consider medication if needed.
However I haven’t been able to find much advice online on symptomatic HIV with a ‘normal’CD4 count and the pros and cons of starting anti-retroviral treatment in such cases.
Your help and advice would be very much appreciated, thank you.
24 February 2010 • Related: All topics, Starting treatment
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Your symptoms could be as a result of the HIV or they could be due to something else. It could be that your ‘normal’ CD4 count is actually quite high. It might be useful to look at your CD4% instead. A CD4% of less than 14% would mean you need to start treatment.
The British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines on starting treatment state that and anyone who has a CD4 count above 350 but who is experiencing HIV-related illnesses should start HIV treatment.
By starting treatment earlier, with a higher CD4 count your immune system does not have chance to deteriorate. This increases the chance of maintaining ‘normal’ CD4 levels.
The i-base ‘Introduction to Combination Therapy’ includes a lot of other information about treatment than might be useful.
If you’d like to speak to someone please call our Phoneline (Mon-Wed 12-4pm)
Answer: Charlotte Walker