Question
How long will it take for my CD4 count to go back up?
26 May 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Starting treatment.
I have recently found out I am HIV positive. I am dealing with it OK. It helps that I have such a supportive family. I went to see my HIV Consultant for the first time about 3 weeks ago she gave me my CD4 count and viral load results.
My CD4 is 77 and viral load is 112,450. She has also said I’ve had it 5-10 years which has worried me. I’ve contacted a few people to tell them to get tested there test have come back clear.
My questions are:
If I have a high viral load isn’t there more chance of me passing it on? (I was the top in all off them)
I was with someone 7 years and their result is negative or so they say!! In all this time is there more chance I would of passed it on to them?
How long will it take for my CD4 count to go back up? I’m not on any drugs at the moment as I’ve been given some tablets to stop me getting infections. (Was given Cotrimoxazole but had to change to Dapsone as I had a reaction)
Is it likely my CD4 would of gone down since the last test? Am I likely to get any OIs (opportunistic infections)?
Sorry for all the questions, but these are what are playing on my mind at the moment.
Thank you in advance
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is good to hear you are managing to deal with your new diagnosis and that you have a supportive family to help you through this difficult time.
The higher the viral load the more likely HIV is transmitted. That is why if your viral load is undetectable the risk of transmission is very low.
If you were having unprotected sex with your partner of 7 years and he is still HIV negative then he has been very lucky.
If you are not on HIV medication yet and your CD4 count is 77 then you should definitely think about starting in the next few weeks. Once you have started HIV treatment your viral load should go down to undetectable levels (less than 50) within 3 months and you should start to see your CD4 count increase. It often takes longer for CD4 counts to increase especially if they are starting off low. But the important thing when on treatment is to suppress the virus to the lowest levels possible.
It is possible that your CD4 count will have gone down slightly since your last appointment but CD4 counts can fluctuate slightly. For further information about CD4 fluctuations please follow this link to a similar question
If your CD4 count is below 200 then you are at risk of getting opportunistic infections.
For information about starting treatment, CD4 counts, viral loads and other important things related to having HIV please follow this link to the i-Base Introduction to Combination Therapy’ guide
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with finding out you have HIV. Finding out you have HIV is never easy, and it’s very normal to feel like this. It’s important to get some support to help you deal with your diagnosis. I can see from your email address that you are from South Africa. There are lots of support groups and organisations in South Africa for people living with HIV. You can contact the Treatment Action Campaign for information about services in your area. Talking to other people who have HIV can help you to feel less alone, and is a good way to share experiences with others.
Have you started treatment yet? HIV for most people can be easily managed and treated. With treatment you can live a long and healthy life, and do all the things you planned to before your diagnosis.
Please see our page about being newly diagnosed, and let me know if you have any questions.
I 49 yrs old and l found out that l’m HIV positive. My CD4 count was 175 when l check. My concern is that l am not accepting the situation, I can’t eat, sleep and always sad. What must I do?
Hi Evans,
I’m very sorry to hear about your partner. But your CD4 count is very strong and this means your immune system is doing well. While your CD4 count is above 350 it is very unlikely that you will get ill because of HIV.
I went for cd4 count test it was 648 but i have rencetly lost my patner to hiv related illnes , does that mean i will follow soon
Hello Koliwe,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Because you live in South Africa you could contact the Treatment Action Campaign (based in Cape Town). They are a network of HIV positive people with lots of experience of the things you are going through right now.
CD4 counts go up and down, and sometimes tests aren’t very accurate. If you were in the UK you would have this test result checked to make sure it’s right. Has your doctor suggested doing this? You can read about CD4 counts in our FAQs page.
Being HIV positive shouldn’t stop you having a baby. Lots of HIV positive women have children, even if their boyfriend or husband doesn’t have HIV. You can read about this in our pregnancy guide and pregnancy FAQs.
Please let me know if you have questions after reading these pages!
Hi.I’m 24 yrs old I find out on 22 of aug this year that I have HIV.
My CD4 count was 509 suddenly I go to the clinic on the 2nd of nov and my CD4 again had dropped to 275. Why it is so quick?
What bother me most is,I need a baby, how can we do this?
I’m not ready to start treatment yet coz everything just happen fast I’m still trying to accept my status and now treatment,I wish I can see and chat with other people who are HIV+ and hear their views and what they achieve in life after knowing their status,sometimes I feel like its the end of the road. I am a graduate I finished my diploma this year bt I’m still trying to find a job bt. Its not easy.
Hi. It sounds like you have had a great response to treatment. CD4 counts vary during the day by about 50 cells and from day to day by at least the same amount. The CD4 test also can have a 20-30% variability for accuracy. With all these together, the change in your two counts is unlikely to be a concern to your doctor. In the UK a second CD4 test would be run, but so long as your CD4 count stays above 200-250 there is unlikely to be any increased risk of HIV-related problems. Your doctor might also want to check that you have been taking your meds regularly and on time. If you are treated in a country with viral load testing, you would also want to see that your viral load is undetectable. So although I can’t say what is behind your results, it is probably good for you to know that this level of fluctuation is not unusual.
Hi there – I stumbled across this really helpful site! Thank you all for sharing! I have been HIV+ for three years. I was diagnosed in August 2009 at a CD4 count of 120. I soon went onto ARV’s. I had bloods taken last week (6 monthly checkup) and my CD4 count is now at 279. In Feb 2012 it was at 329. I take meds daily, excercise daily, nutritionally am on top of my game. What could one attribute the drop of 50? Is this normal?
Hello Itumeleng,
I am very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. It’s normal to be afraid after finding out you have HIV. But HIV isn’t a death sentence anymore. HIV treatment is very effective and allows people to live as long as somebody who doesn’t have HIV. You can still do everything you planned to. HIV shouldn’t stop you having children, getting married, having a job or anything else.
Have you been able to tell anybody else about your diagnosis? It can help to talk to somebody else who is HIV positive- do you know anybody?
i found yesterday that i’m positive n i’m waiting for my cd4 should i worry to much i’m going to die