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 Nathan
Please don’t worry about not reaching 500. You have had a great response to treatment and it is high enough to mean the risk from HIV is now very low.
Lots of people who start with a CD4 count under 100 do not get above 500. They still have a long an d health life.
It is good that you now have a better doctor.
You doctor migh tbe able to suggest something for the sinus problems, but this might not be related to HIV.
Hi!
I was diagnosed in 2009 but didn’t start treatment till 2011 as the doctor I was seeing continuously refused to start treatment till I could prove to her that I would take my meds religiously. During that time my CD4 dropped to 74 with a viral load of over 1 million. No matter what I said or did to prove that I’d take the medication she still refused. In addition to that in 2011 she told me that I’d die within 6 months or less and that she could no longer see me as her patient.
Thankfully my wife was able to find someone to prescribe treatment on my very first visit where I was prescribed Truvada and Isentress which worked well. However I had to change medication since I was born with 1 kidney and Truvada is hard on the kidneys. I then went to Triumeq which seemed to cause a host of other problems that I had to have my doctor switch the meds again to Genvoya.
My concern is that even though I started treatment in 2011 and I have never missed a single dose my CD4 count has never reached the 500 mark as I tend to fluctuate between 200 & 400. However my viral load has been consistantly non-detectable.
I’m wondering what I can do to get my CD4 to reach the 500 mark. I get a lot of sinus infections especially during allergy season which may play a role in why my CD4 fluctuates.
Nathan
UK guidelines recommend that everybody can start treatment at any CD4 count. This includes CD4 counts that are higher than 500.
Similar recommendation are included in the United States and the World Health Organisation guidelines.
The main advantages of starting treatment include:
Keeping a high CD4 count.
Reducing the risk of other illnesses. This includes both HIV and non-HIV complications.
Reducing the risk of transmitting HIV to your sexual partners.
You can find out more about starting treatment at any CD4 count in this similar question.
My question is, I’ve tested positive and my CD4 count is 323, should I start treatment now or try to boost it up?
Before effective HIV treatment (ART) weight loss and loss of appetite were mostly related to low CD4 count and not being on treatment.
Fat loss has been associated with some HIV meds (ARVs). But the fat lost is mostly from the arms and legs, and from the face.
If you are generally losing weight you can talk to the doctor about it. There might be other reasons for your weight loss.
Hi, I’m 3 yrs on treatment now, what worries me is that I’m losing weight what’s wrong with me?
Hi,
It’s good to hear you’ve started treatment and that there are no side effects. You haven’t said what your weight is. If you are worried about being overweight you could ask your doctor about it. The thing is that it is common not gain weight when you first start HIV treatment. This is because your body is using much less energy to fight the virus, your meds are doing instead. Becoming overweight is not usually a side effect of HIV treatment.
I have been diagnosed with HIV and my CD4 count is 24. I have started with the treatment and I’m experiencing no side effects. But I’m gaining weight rapidly, is this normal? Or is it because of the pills I’m taking? Bear in mind that I don’t have TB.
Hi,
If you are not already starting treatment you should speak to your clinic about this. In most countries it is recommended that people with your CD4 count start treatment.
I’ll answer your questions one by one.
1. This is not really possible to know. HIV behaves differently in different people. In some it will progress faster or slower than in others.
2. Again this depends on how you react to the treatment. Sometimes when you start treatment at a slightly lower CD4 count it can take a while to go up.
3. It is common for people starting HIV treatment to gain some weight. This is becuase your body is spending less energy fighting the virus. Your treatment would be doing that for you.
Hi
I was diagnosed with HIV in Dec 4 2013. My CD4 was not taken.This was done 11 days ago and my result was 280. Viral load is yet to be tested. My questions are
1.How long has it been in me?
2.How long will it take for me to increase my cd4 to maybe 500.
3. Will I be able regain my body weight given that I have lost some great deal of weight