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,
It is good that your brother is on HIV treatment. You might not be able to tell yet but it is working to control his illness. You should talk to his clinic or a local pharmacy, they can help you with something soothe his throat.
Helo,I have a brother who is hiv positive and at this stage he can not walk and he does not talk.
He strugle to swallow food unless he eat and drink some water.
He is taking ARV’s but there is no improvement, i feed him sweet potatoes,butter nut pumpkin and i mix bananas with Ensure meal and some water,i feed him five spoons evey thirty minutes.
I just want to know that what i give him that can help to soothes the troat so that he can swallow easily?
Hi Tina
Being on treatment for more than six months it is very likely that your viral load was undetectable.
Treatment would have dramatically reduced the risk to your partner so the chance that they became positive is extrememly low.
I’m hiv positive and have been on medication for more dan six months. My cd4 count has increased from 359 to 398 and I don’t know my viral load level now and I had unprotected sex. is they any chance I might have infected my partner. Am terribly scared.
Hi,
It is common to get variable CD4 results. This is why one may have been higher than the other. Doctors usually look at several CD4 counts to work out what is going on over a longer period of time.
You can find more information on CD4 count here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/cd4-count-and-viral-load
Hi I’m HIV positive and I’m not in treatment but I found out that my CD4 count is going up, is this possible?
Junior,
I was diagnosed positive on Tuesday last week. I’ve spent a week in hospital getting every kind of test you can imagine, and I’m now on the life-saving meds.
I know it’s scary at first, but I would say DO go onto your nearest clinic or see your doctor. I found that the team of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers at the hospital were kind, knowledgeable and supportive, and sympathetic to my state of shock.
You may have hidden opportunistic infections that need to be identified and treated too. Just go and talk to a medical professional, and discuss your way forward. I was terrified (I hate needles, blood tests and hospitals) but I soin calmed down. I got home last night, and I’m SO glad I’ve got my medications here.
So, be brave and take control of your health. You can do it! :-)
Mark
If u are not on treament u eventully becom terribly ill and u can even die .so start treatment now.
Hi Junior,
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
Being on HIV treatment is a very positive thing. Many people who have HIV who start treatment can now live as long a people who do not have HIV.
Being on treatment is the only way to prevent you viral load rising and your CD4 count would fall. The lower it goes the more likely you are to get opportunistic infections. Eventually you would become seriously ill.
However treatment can prevent all of this happening.
You can find more information about being newly diagnosed here:
http://i-base.info/if-you-have-just-found-out-you-are-hiv-positive/
And information about starting treatment here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
On the 20 april 2014 i went to the hospital and did the test. I found out that i am HIV possitive and im afraid to go to the hospital to get the medication. My question is what will happen if i don’t take the ARV’s.