Q and A

Question

What is the outlook for my 51 year old father?

My father is about 51 years age and is HIV positive with cd4 count 117 and viral load is 117000. Now he got some skin infection and being treated and also taking hiv medicines. after starting his HIV treatment his WBC count increased from 4200 to 8100 within 15days of treatment. what does it mean. Will he able to survive ? Please help with answer and suggestions.

Answer

I’m sorry to hear about your father’s recent diagnosis, but it is good that he has started treatment.

A CD4 count of 117 is still pretty good and now he is on HIV meds this should increase over the next few months and then years.

His viral load should become undetectable (less than 50 copies/mL) within the first three months, or get very close to this level.

White Blood Cell count (WBC) is not usually used to monitor the response after starting treatment. A WBC count of 4,200 cells/mm3 is only just short of the normal range (4,500 – 11,000). Although it is good that it is now a little higher, this is not the best way to monitor treatment.

See the Introduction to Combination Therapy for more details.

The skin problems should improve now he is on treatment and this is a very good sign for the future. Treatment now keeps people alive for many years, often making this a similar life expectancy to a similar HIv negative person.

2 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi

    You father’s weight should slowly increase now he is on treatment. Whether or not he works is up to him. If he feels well and wants to do this, then this is good.

    Your mother’s CD4 count shows that this is also a good time for her to start treatment. The guidelines for starting treatment vary in different countries, but all recommend starting before the CD4 count falls below 200 and most recommend starting while it is still around 350.

    There is no special diet for someone who is HIV-positive. Any balanced nutritional diet should be fine. Your parents doctor will also be able to advise on this.

  2. Karan

    Thanks for the reply..

    He lost 5-6kgs weight over 10 months. Will he be able to improve the weight and look like a normal person… My mother’s CD4 count is also 258 and her viral load is 106,000.

    She is looking very normal and no signs of the virus now. I have take appointment for dr. this month for her.

    Should she start treatment? Also can you suggest the food for the HIV-positive people?

    My father works as contractor which includes going out in sunlight and roaming around. Is it advisable to work..or should i ask him to stop working and take rest at home?

    Thanks

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