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<channel>
	<title>Q and A &#187; Starting treatment</title>
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	<link>http://i-base.info/qa</link>
	<description>Your HIV questions answered</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 09:40:38 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<item>
		<title>My 4 year old daughter&#8217;s CD4 has dropped, what does this mean?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6854</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6854#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 15:26:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6854</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My 4 years old girl, is HIV positive, and her CD4 has dropped from 857 to 664 and her viral load has picked up from 10,000 to 182,773. I just wanted to find out if she at risk?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6854/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m newly diagnosed. What&#8217;s causing me continous itching?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6824</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6824#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 15:33:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6824</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was diagnosed in March and my CD4 count was 569 and viral load 2790. On my
second blood test after two weeks my CD4 went up to 695 and viral load 6250.
I am meant to go back in 4 months for another test. 

But now my face is itching and I have been given a cream by my GP to apply on it but it's still
itching. What is wrong with me? 

Help needed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6824/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m 6 weeks pregnant, when should I start taking ARVs?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6815</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6815#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 13:47:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6815</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have just found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant. I've been living with HIV for 7 years.

I want to know when is the recommended time to take medication i.e ARVs and, is breastfeeding safe for the baby and how? ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6815/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What do my lab results mean?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6766</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6766#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:02:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6766</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My recent report reads: 
HIVRNA: less than 1.0+02 IU/ML
CD3: 955
CD4: 99
CD8: 835
CD4%: 10.4%
CD8%: 87.4%
CD4/CD8%: 0.12
White cell: 3.8 10^9L
NEU: 1.39 10^9 L. 
NEU%: 36.3%
(on Lamivudine(3TC), tenofovir,kaletra (lopinavir/r) for 1.5 month, CD4 was 9, HIVRNA: 3.4 IU/ML 3 month ago.)
Could you please let me know what does this report mean? Am I getting better or still quite poorly?
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6766/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m 6 months pregnant. Is it safe to delay starting treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6760</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6760#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:49:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6760</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am 6 months pregnant and have just tested positive. My CD4 count is 256. I have to start now.    

I didn't get much info as I thought I am doing it for my baby but I find it difficult to deal with the fact that I have developed AIDS, and have to start treatment.

My question is,  will it  be dangerous for me to delay taking the treatment for myself and only take the one for the baby. Since I think it was my emotional state that made my CD to be low.

I am very healthy and eat well. Please advise.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6760/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Do I need to start treatment if I&#8217;m planning to have a baby?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6687</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6687#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:45:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sero different couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6687</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have just been diagnosed with HIV, my partner of one year tested negative. 

I am not on treatment. My viral load is 2790 and my cd4 count is 567.

If I want to get pregnant do I need to start treatment and do I need to continue taking medication for the rest of my life?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6687/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>In South Africa on Atripla for two months, will efavirenz mood changes improve?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6667</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6667#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:51:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Changing treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Side effects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6667</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am 31 year old South African lady I was diagnosed with TB in 2011 and started taking medication in June 2011, I however discovered that I am HIV positive in January 2012 and I had pneumonia. My CD4 count was 43. 

I have been Atripla (efavirenz, FTC + tenofovir) for two months I try to take my medication at the same time daily but sometimes on the weekends I come home late I miss my dosage. I missed two days dosage and I am on my second month. 

Since taking Atripla I am easily irritable, aggressive and short tempered.  My skin itches and I am a bit darker facially. My brain functions slowly, I take time to understand and sometimes when people talk to me its like I am in another world. Please advise if this is going to be life time thing?
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6667/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>CD4 70, on Bactrim and Atripla, are there any interactions?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6586</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6586#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rebecca McDowall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6586</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi. I recently got diagnosed with HIV. CD4 count of 70 and Viral count over 400,000. Pretty bad. 

My doctor has started me immediately on Atripla and I feel a bit better after 2 weeks. In addition he has put me on Bactrim to prevent any lung infection due to the low CD4 count. 

The question I have is do the two drugs I am taking have interactions that I should be aware of? Also has anyone gone through the same meds together? Thanks.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6586/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Will diet and exercise increase my CD4 count?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6419</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6419#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:11:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6419</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My last cd4 count, taken 05/2011 was 453,and my most recent one taken last month came back as 280. 

Now this has come as an extreme shock to me and hard to accept. I am not ready to start meds. 

Can I re-take a cd4 test just for reassurance? 

All my other previous ones have been above 500. Yes my diet has been beyond poor but what could be the main/possible cause for such a drastic drop?

Also need to know if I can boost it up by getting back on track with my diet and exercise?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6419/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What are risks in pregnancy if I am not yet on treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6360</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6360#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:25:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Simon Collins</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6360</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been diagnosed with HIV for three months now and I'm scared that i could transmit HIV to my
unborn child. Would that be possible if i havent start treatment yet? worried mom pls help.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6360/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Should I start treatment in seroconversion?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6353</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6353#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:47:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Simon Collins</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eradication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am 49 years old gay man and have just been diagnosed - right in the middle of my sero converstion - 2 weeks after catching the virus.

My blood test has revealed a vey high virus load (2 million) - and a more normal CD4 cell level (400).

My HIV doctor at the offered the option to start the medication now - based on a recent study.. He said that it would mean getting the medication for the rest of my life.

My initial reaction was to wait as the blood test was done in the middle of the seroconversion at a time when my body was reacting strongly to the virus, and I was hoping to see the levels coming down and stabilising soon.

I need some advice on the option to start the treatment now vs waiting. Has the treatment needs to be for life - or is there an option to have the medication for a period (6 months - 1 year) , to help the system to stabilise? and then wait hopefully a few years for the levels to come to where I need to start a lifetime medication?

Thanks for your advice.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6353/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Does unprotected sex affect CD4 count?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6290</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6290#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resistance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6290</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Both my partner and I are positive. 

I recently did my blood test and my CD4 count has dropped from 515 to 112 in a year. I was informed that I had to start medication. 

He is not on meds as yet. We try our best to practice safe sex. But can this cause me to become resistant or continue lowering my CD4 

Please assist.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6290/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How can my CD4 count increase and I am not on treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6284</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6284#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:05:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6284</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I just found out that I’m HIV positive during my pregnancy but my husband is negative.  The first time I took test for my CD4 count they were 671 after a week I took the other one they came back 697 and mind you at that time I was not on a medication up until now as I’m waiting for the medical aid to send me the medication in the next coming 3 days. I just need a clarity on that how possible is that my cd4 count to increase if I'm not on medication. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6284/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>When should I start my treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6275</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6275#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:49:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6275</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am HIV positive. Recently, I had my CD4 count, which was around 290 and the doctors said that ARV treatment has to start.   What is the actual deadline for starting the medicines?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6275/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How can I increase my CD4 count without treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6204</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6204#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:40:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplements and herbs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6204</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have just found out that I was HIV positive in March, last year.  My CD4 count was 270.  I did another test in 2012 and it was 284, of which my doctor said I must start treatment.  I just want to know what I must do to increase my CD4 count without taking treatment.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6204/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I am 4 weeks pregnant. When should I start treatment?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6194</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6194#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:58:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Angelina Namiba</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Having a baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6194</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi.
I discovered that I am 4 weeks pregnant recently and I got my CD4 results
back. My CD4 count has dropped to 210. 

When should I start taking AZT, ZDV and Retrovir, and is combination safe for my baby?

I am well and don't show any signs of AIDS.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6194/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Does starting treatment early affect my health and longevity?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6179</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6179#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:16:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6179</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been on treatment for two months. My CD4 is 544 and my viral load is undetectable.  Research shows that beginning treatment early is vital to overall health and longevity.  My question is what is considered to be early; in HIV diagnosis? 3 months? 1 year? I am 100% sure that I was infected in august of 2011. I was diagnosed at the end of December 2011. What are my chances for continued good health?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6179/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Does having a low CD4 count means I&#8217;ll be infected by OIs?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6162</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6162#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:57:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My CD4 count was at 4, when I started Atripla 17 days ago.  Will this low count affect the effectiveness of the meds?  And does this count mean I have AIDS? I have no sides effects and i feel better already.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6162/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why can&#8217;t my immune system repair itself after being infected by HIV?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6159</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6159#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:49:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CD4 and viral load]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6159</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When lucky enough to reach an undetectable level why cant your immune system repair itself bringing the CD4 count replenishing levels back to as before contracting HIV, if there is no longer any attack being made by the virus?

A lot of people submitting posts on this site appear to have reported massive increases from very low starting counts after antiretroviral treatment,

Thanks for a great site.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6159/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My CD4 count is 80 &#8211; should I take Atripla?</title>
		<link>http://i-base.info/qa/6148</link>
		<comments>http://i-base.info/qa/6148#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:58:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Li Marhaban</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[All topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newly diagnosed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Treatments information]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://i-base.info/qa/?p=6148</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I just find out that I am HIV positive and my CD4 count is 80. If I take Atripla am I gonna get better or must I take ARVs. Which one is the best?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://i-base.info/qa/6148/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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