Question
What is the right time to start ARV treatment?
26 February 2008. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.
My brother who lives in Malawi was diagnosed HIV positive in November 2007. His CD4 count was 80. He has TB and started taking three TB pills. He had a bad reaction with rash all over his body. The doctors stopped him taking the three tablets for three weeks. They resumed treatment with different pills. The doctors are not giving him ARVS and meanwhile he tells me he is getting weaker. What is the right time for my brother to start taking ARVS?
Answer
Thank you for your question. Your brother was diagnosed with two very serious infections and a very low CD4 count. He really should be on antiretroviral therapy. Your brother’s doctors maybe worried about drug interactions between the TB drugs and the kind of antiretrovirals available in Malawi.
But people with HIV who have low CD4 counts and also need to take TB medication, should start on the TB drugs for at least two weeks to see how well they tolerate the drugs. If they can tolerate the drugs well, then they need to start on antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible. At least this is what the UK HIV guidelines suggest. Please do come back to us if you have any further questions.
I am HIV positive. I’m not started treatment yet, I’m so scared that it will change my body shape.
I’m starting to lose weight and I’m under a lot of stress so I’m asking myself that if start this treatment what will happen to me since I’m under so much stress or I must wait for this stress to pass?
Hi Chris,
The first thing you need to do is test. Only a test can tell you if you’re positive or not. Also DO NOT take your friends ARVs. Taking ARVs that are not prescribed for you could be very dangerous.
Recently I have found out that my body itches me with some small rashes. I am loosing weight. I had one girlfriend who I slept with without condoms for about seven months. She later complained of some sickness then I told her to test for HIV which she told me she was positive. Having this reaction the lady gave me some of the ARV, should I take them?
Hi Sihle, many clinics are increasingly offering treatment when someone is diagnosed. It is important that the HIV test result is confirmed by a lab test. I expect that blood samples were taken for the CD4 and viral load tests, and your girlfriend should get these results when she next see’s the doctor. In the UK this would be in 2-4 weeks time. When is your girlfriend due to see the doctor again?
hi! my girlfreind went to a clinic 2 test for HIV and she found out that she is positive and they gave her the treatment as soon as they found that she is positive. is that the right way to do or they should start by checking her cd4 count before to see if she is ready to use it.the name of the treatment is Atroiza.
THANK YOU
Hello, HIV treatment (taking ARVs) is now recommended at any CD4 count. This is because going on treatment makes it less likely that you’ll get ill. It sounds like your sister needs support. Ask at the hospital about getting the support she needs to discuss starting treatment.
You can find out more information about starting treatment here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/who-needs-treatment
Hello, my sister is HIV positive and the hospital gave her ARVs but she is refusing to take them. I am not sure about her CD4 count. I need your advice as it is like she is in denial.
Hi Portia
HIV treatment (also called ARVs or ART) is storngly recommended for anyone who also has TB.
HIV treatment is very effective. If your doctor is recommending this it sounds like very good advice.
The CD4 count is not important here – but HIV treatment is.
I recently found out that i have a brain TB and I was diagnosed with HIV in 2010 and I don’t know my cd4 count becouse I never went back to clinic so my doctor gave me the ARVs but never checked my cd4 count, what I want to know is must I start with my treatment even if my cd4 count is fine
Hi luyathandwa
It is important that your doctor and clinic know about the rash.
Although this is usually mild sometimes it can be serious so please contact your clinic if your are worried.