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 Richards – thanks for this feedback. So long as you are good not to miss your meds, this combination can keep your viral load undetectable for as long as you take it.
Thank you for your answer,am from zambia and my viral load was undetectable,my doctor gave me three more months for me to go for a test again
Hi Richards, the second CD4 count is likely to just be part of the fluctuation with this test. It is very likely that if you test again now – or in a few weeks, it will be higher again. Alcohol will only affect your results if it stops you taking your meds on time. Which country do you live in? Also, what is your viral load?
hi i recently found out that i am hiv positive and started treatment my cd4 was 65 before treatment after that it increased to 123,after three weeks it went back to 65.
my question is..can my cd4 increase again and i do take alcohol.is alcohol making my cd4 to decrease
thank you
Hi Daryl – many people never find out how they became positive. From you results this could easily have been year before 2014. It is great that you are on treatment and even without knowing which meds you are taking, you should expect a good response. None of this should stop you continuing with your study plans unless you chose this. Individual response to HIV vary a lot but, depending on the combination, most people get an undetectable viral load within 1 to 3 months. There is no longer a US entry bar against HIV positive people. I have heard about HIV positive students continuing to study, but you would need to make other enquiries about this and also about access to treatment. Which country do you live in now? Please email me at simon.collins@i-base.org.uk if you want to discuss this off-line.
I tested HIV positive just a month ago. My viral load was around 5000 and my CD4 was 196. I am still trying to figure out when i could have contracted this virus since, i have been with one person since 2014 and when i asked her she tested negative, even the one before her unless if they are not honest with their test results. I am now on ART and i was intending to go study abroad and many people are telling me that i should wait a bit and reapply perhaps my CD4 count and viral load will have normalised. What i would like to know is at which stage does one have a normal CD4 count and how much should it be and how long does it take to have a viral load below 50. Is it true that USA and Canada accept people living with HIV to study or work in their countries. Most of my family members live in USA and Canada and i wanted to join them.
Hi Alex. Are you on HIV treatment (ART) ? If not then it is important to start ART. This is the only way to increase your CD4 count. If you are on ART then you eed a viral load test to see if it is working – or better – to change to a different treatment. Treatment is free in most countries and is very effective. Please let me know either way.
I was diagnosed last 2015 (I was 36 yrs old then), my cd4 was 97, after 6 months it went down to 72, after another 6 months it went down to 38.
I’m nervous about my condition.
Any suggestion that could help me increase my cd4?
Thanks!
Hi Mtswege, without more details it is difficult to comment. If your friends gets HIV treatment this can be very effective.
Hi I need help I have one of my friend he is in hospital he was tested only to find out that he is HIV posetive but now we are so worried cause when I visit him he is very weak he doesn’t eat and tolk can any one help me please I don’t know what do now