Question
When should I start treatment?
8 May 2017. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
Do I have to wait for my CD4 count to go down before I start treatment?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
The World Health Organisation recommend that everyone who is living with HIV should be on medication. This is even if people have high CD4 counts. Therefore, instead of waiting for your CD4 to fall, you should be on medication.
For why starting treatment early is a positive thing, please see the results of the START study:
https://i-base.info/i-base-qa-on-the-start-study-results/
Hi Joy,
ARVs should be prescribed to you by a doctor or a qualified health care professional. If you’re positive then it’s your doctor who should in theory give them to you.
If you could tell me where you live in the world I’ll be able to tell you how the system works.
How do I get the drugs?