Question
Is my CD4 count too low to reach normal when I start treatment?
26 March 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
I’m a 42 year old man diagnosed HIV positive on 2nd of Feb 2010. My probable infection date was in July 2006. I have swelling of a lymph node on my forearm and some nerve tingling sensation on my right leg otherwise I don’t have any obvious signs or illnesses.
My CD4 count is 224 with a viral load of 10,000. I haven’t started treatment yet as the doctor is waiting for my full resistance profile but I should be starting when I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks time.
With my CD4 count already relatively low can I expect it to come back to a normal level? Even if the treatment works, am I likely to develop HIV-related illnesses in the future and continue to experience various illnesses connected with HIV?
Although the doctor has said that I can expect to live almost a normal lifespan is it possible to give a realistic life expectancy? I am scared.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Please don’t be scared. I understand there is a lot to take in but you are doing the right thing by getting the information you need about HIV and CD4 counts.
There are many people who have had much lower CD4 counts than yours who have gone on to do very well on treatment. Some people live very healthily with CD4 counts of 300-400 and never reach above 500. Although the guidance is for people to start treatment when a CD4 count gets to 350 or below, starting treatment, when, with what, is a very individual thing. A normal CD4 count is also different for each person. Don’t get to hung up on the numbers, the evidence is that once you start treatment you are bound to do well.
For more information on this, please see a similar question by following this link
If you take your medication correctly and consistently you should not experience HIV-related illnesses in the future.
Your doctor is correct about you having an almost normal life expectancy once on treatment. Recent studies have shown people with HIV can live for over 35 years once on treatment. That would make you 77 which is a good age to reach and there is nothing stopping you living longer even than that.
For more information on these studies please follow this link
If you require any further information please contact us either via the web or by phoning the treatment information line (Mon-Wed 12-4pm)
I was diagnosed less than a year ago with a cd4 count of 42 with an insanely high viral load. I had a number of bad complications along the way but my cd4 is over 200 (and still rising), viral load down to undetectable levels. Family support and acceptance is very important BUT due to the stigma surrounding HIV you should not tell anybody that does not need to know. A few lifestyle changes (if you haven’t done so already and most are common sense) and you can easily live to a ripe old age and beyond. You may end up dying from old age. Good luck with your treatment.
Hi
It is important that your father see’s a doctor about his health. If he has active TB this may need to be treated first if he is not already on treatment. There are lots of HIV meds, but your doctor will talk about which ones can be used at the same time as the TB meds. HIV meds are called antiretrovirals (ARVs).
See this guide for more information about HIV treatment.
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
please give some advise, my father has higher HIV with TB and his CD4 count is too low, can u please give me some suggestion and give the name of medicines. Right now he suffers from liver problems and fever-cough,etc… so give some suggestion about medicine and food.
Hi Susie,
It’s important that your husband starts treatment if his CD4 count is this low. Can you tell me why he hasn’t started treatment yet?
My husband has a CD4 count of 68, what does that mean? Will he pull through? He is not yet on ARVs. He also has TB indications and is not on treatment.
Hi Sandesh,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been so unwell. Although your CD4 count was low there is still a good chance that treatment will work well for you. Many people diagnosed 15-20 years ago with similar situations are still alive and doing well today.
My CD4 count is 42 and I had kidney and pancreas problems .. kidney and pancreas are now treated and it is OK. I started ART medicine 113 days back, please tell me I’ll be alive or I’ll be dead in some time
My cd4 were 20 when i started ,I reached 500 and even 700 at some times, for 10 years now.I recently did my tests again and i’m waiting for results,i’m very nervous because i don’t feel to good , wish my luck. It can defintly happen to you, you still have good counts, be happy, the medicines will make it a lot better
For information about ARVs please follow this link to our Introduction to combination therapy.
I would appreciate if i get the information on how ARV helps