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
Hi Jemina
It is difficult to learn you are HIV positive but I hope you are coping ok. It is very common for one partners to test positive and the other negative. You may never know how you became infected.
You CD4 count is very good because it is above 500. It sounds good that you tested your daughter.
Hi,
Ive recently found out that im hiv positive but my bf is negative,and we did the blood test via lab is that posible?
My cd4 count is 612 and would like to know how long will it last that high?
I dont know when i got infect but im worried about my daughter because its not long i have stoped breastfeeding her,but i did the rapid test on her and it came negative is also possible?
Thanks,
Hi Zoey,
There are no supplements that can increase the CD4 count- ARVs are the only medicines that can do this. Your CD4 count is good though and shows that your immune system is strong. While your CD4 count is above 350 there is very little risk of illness or opportunistic infections related to HIV. You can see more about CD4 counts and treatment in our guide to starting treatment.
hi
i am HIV positive CD4 count is 410,i am not on any medication at the moment but i wanna know if there are any supplements i can take in order to increase my CD4 count.
Hi Mwansa
It is not recommended to stop ARVS once you are on treatment. There will help your CD4 count slowly increase. If you stop treatment, your CD4 count will drop again.
If your CD4 count is still very low it is likely to be better for both your health and your baby, to wait until it is higher to become pregnant. This is best to discuss with your doctor.
Hi Rebecca, I am HIV postive and on ART. I would like to find out if there is a stage when your CD4 goes high were one can stop taking the medicines (ARV) and only take Septrin. If yes at what stage? and at when can a woman have a child with a low CD4 but on medication.
Hi Yelmi,
The only way to increase your CD4 count is to continue to adhere to your HIV drugs. These two results are very strange together- a CD4% of 25% would normally mean your CD4 count is around 500, which is not likely if it was 75 in May. Do you mean that your CD4 count in October was 25?
my last cd4 as of may 2013 is 75 and am on drugs and in october by cd4 is 25% pls what i do boos up my cd4?
Hi Thando,
It’s normal for CD4 counts to fluctuate (go up and down). Making sure you are adherent and take your meds everyday as prescribed is the best way to help your CD4 count increase. What was your CD4 count when you started treatment?
Hi
I have started my hiv treatment since last year and my cd4 count keeps being up nd down nd now it is 384 .what do I do to make sure my cd4 count goes up?