Question
How long will it take for my CD4 count to go back up?
26 May 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Starting treatment.
I have recently found out I am HIV positive. I am dealing with it OK. It helps that I have such a supportive family. I went to see my HIV Consultant for the first time about 3 weeks ago she gave me my CD4 count and viral load results.
My CD4 is 77 and viral load is 112,450. She has also said I’ve had it 5-10 years which has worried me. I’ve contacted a few people to tell them to get tested there test have come back clear.
My questions are:
If I have a high viral load isn’t there more chance of me passing it on? (I was the top in all off them)
I was with someone 7 years and their result is negative or so they say!! In all this time is there more chance I would of passed it on to them?
How long will it take for my CD4 count to go back up? I’m not on any drugs at the moment as I’ve been given some tablets to stop me getting infections. (Was given Cotrimoxazole but had to change to Dapsone as I had a reaction)
Is it likely my CD4 would of gone down since the last test? Am I likely to get any OIs (opportunistic infections)?
Sorry for all the questions, but these are what are playing on my mind at the moment.
Thank you in advance
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is good to hear you are managing to deal with your new diagnosis and that you have a supportive family to help you through this difficult time.
The higher the viral load the more likely HIV is transmitted. That is why if your viral load is undetectable the risk of transmission is very low.
If you were having unprotected sex with your partner of 7 years and he is still HIV negative then he has been very lucky.
If you are not on HIV medication yet and your CD4 count is 77 then you should definitely think about starting in the next few weeks. Once you have started HIV treatment your viral load should go down to undetectable levels (less than 50) within 3 months and you should start to see your CD4 count increase. It often takes longer for CD4 counts to increase especially if they are starting off low. But the important thing when on treatment is to suppress the virus to the lowest levels possible.
It is possible that your CD4 count will have gone down slightly since your last appointment but CD4 counts can fluctuate slightly. For further information about CD4 fluctuations please follow this link to a similar question
If your CD4 count is below 200 then you are at risk of getting opportunistic infections.
For information about starting treatment, CD4 counts, viral loads and other important things related to having HIV please follow this link to the i-Base Introduction to Combination Therapy’ guide
Hi Susy,
It sounds like your brother has a lot going on. When someone has a low CD4 count it can take time for it to rise. This can take longer when someone is undergoing chemo.
The fact that his viral load has dropped indicates that the meds are working. If they weren’t then the viral load wouldn’t be dropping.
If you aren’t happy with is care, it may be best to see someone else. It has however only been a few months and he does have a lot of health issues.
He’s doing well though with the HIV.
My Brother has been diagnosed with HIV in April, his CD4 count was 34 and his viral load was 160,000 his recent viral load is 340 but his CD4 count is still 34. He is on Atripla and is doing Chemo because he has gastric Karposi Sarcoma, he has very bad scrotal , leg and abdominal Edema, and he has pleural effusion they have had to drain his lungs 3x. We are not big fans of his doctor because he does not explain anything, he said he came in late into his disease and we don’t know what that means. How long does it take to see improvement? He does not look to good and we are very worried.
Hi Buyi,
If your viral load is detectable, then yes there is a chance that you may have infected your partner. Therefore, they will need to test.
Though you may be scared, its important that you look after yourself, and that you attend check ups.
Hi Dr I recently found out that I’m hiv positive and I have a new partner that I’ve been sleeping with for two months now, I tested one week back and i know how he feels about hiv I’m really worried and I don’t know how to tell him about this, I’m afraid to even go for checkups of my viral load and cd4 count, is there hope that I did not infect him?