Question
My CD4 count is 570. Should I be worried about OIs?
21 February 2012. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Opportunistic infections.
I was diagnosed December 2011. I am currently taking Atripla. My CD4 is 570 and my viral load is undetectable. Is it still possible to get opportunistic infections such as kaposis sarcoma with such levels?
Thank you for your help.
Answer
Your CD4 count is very high and this is a good indication that your immune system is still strong. It is also good to hear that your viral load is at an undetectable level.
The risk of OIs varies with the specific infection, but most only increase when your CD4 count drops below 200. The lower your CD4 count the more likely you are at risk of these infections. This does not mean that you would certainly get these infections, it just means that you are more susceptible to them.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) is a type of skin cancer that used to be commonly related to HIV. KS it is now very uncommon thanks to HIV treatment although some it is still reported even at higher CD4 counts even on treatment (see this report). This is not something to worry about as the likelihood is very low.
For more information on OIs, please look at this link.
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