Q and A

Question

Am I okay if my CD4 count has not increased since starting ART?

Started ART at CD4 count 154 and after 6 months ARV treatment my viral load is undetectable and CD4 count is the same, am I good?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

It is great that you viral load is undetectable. This is showing that ART is working and HIV is being suppressed.

CD4 does not respond as quickly as viral load to ART. CD4 measures how healthy the immune system is. A lower CD4 count means that HIV has damaged it and it needs time to repair itself. It is great that your CD4 count has not dropped further. This means that ART is working well enough to prevent HIV harming your immune system further.

Recovery of a CD4 count can be a slow process. The lower the CD4 count is to start with at treatment, the longer it will take to recover.

While your CD4 count is below 200 have you been given any antibiotics? These are usually given to prevent infections that you are at risk of while your immune system is still weak.

Josh.

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