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, thanks, it sounds like you are doing very well. We are not doctors so can’t comment overall based on just these couple of tests, but please ask your doctor about this. Many countries are recommending using a statin for people living with HIV who are older than 40, so perhaps adk about this as you didn’t say your age.