Question
Am I still at risk of developing an OI?
11 January 2024. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Newly diagnosed, Opportunistic infections.
I am diagnosed with a CD4 count of 60 on 28 oct 2023 with mouth candida. After 2 months of treatment I am feeling better. Am I still at risk of developing OI?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
It is great to hear that you are feeling much better after 2 weeks on treatment. Were you given anything specific to treat the mouth candida?
As you have a CD4 count below 200 it is recommended that you be on an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole (sometimes called Septrin or Bactrim). This is used to help prevent other infections while your immune system recovers.
Do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is?
While your CD4 count is still low you are still at some risk of other OIs but the antibiotics and HIV treatment will help prevent this.
As your treatment continues to work and your CD4 count goes up, you will become more resistant to OIs until you have no additional risk similar to someone who is not living with HIV.
Josh.
Hi Sandy, yes co-trimoxazole is safe to be used for long treatments.
When using for an extended period of time it is recommended to have routine blood checks. This is to monitor blood cell suppression which is a rare side effect. Has your doctor suggested this?
Hi Josh thanks
Will co trimaxozole if safe to use this long
I have already used 6 months and now may another 6 months or longer
This will not impact on other organs or health
Hi Sandy, it is great to hear how well you are doing on treatment.
After 6 months these results are excellent. You are recovering your CD4 count well and have a viral load TND means HIV is not having any further impact on your health.
being on co-trimoxazole is really good as you are waiting for your CD4 count to recover. How you have responded to treatment is really encouraging and as long as you continue with your treatment, you will have good future perspectives to be in good health.
Hi
Last month on (24/04/2024) I have completed my 6 months of treatment
I was diagnosed with cd4 60 now after 6 months I have cd4 159 and viral load TND Target not detected
These are good results
I am taking cotrimoxazole , IPT as
Prophylaxis as I was diagnosed low cd4
And generally feeling better
What are the future perspectives that I will be in good health
Hi Sandy, has your daughter been tested for HIV? and what are the ranges for these results? I am unable to comment on these results without knowing the normal ranges for these.
Is there a reason you think this could be HIV related? When these tests were done was anything suggested by the doctor as a potential cause?
My 3.5 year old baby girl have swollen lymph nodes more than 1.5 years and today blood work done
Leucocytes 23.40
And neutrophils 70
This may be hiv related?
Hi Sandy, this is something to ask a doctor about. i-Base are not doctors.