Question
If my CD4 count is 1295, does it mean I no longer have HIV?
15 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I am HIV positive. My first CD4 count was 685 and then it went up to 1295 does that mean I am healthy and is the virus cleared in my body?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
A CD4 count of 1295 is fantastic! However, unfortunately it does not mean HIV is cleared from your body. CD4 counts do fluctuate up and down. It could also be that you were recently infected and your CD4 count is increasing after the initial infection. For more information please follow this link.
The good news is that your immune system is very good as your CD4 count is so high.
What is your viral load result? Usually this would be detectable, even with a high CD4 count, though a small percentage of people (less than 0.01%) maintain a high CD4 count and undetectable viral load, without needing HIV treatment.
Hi Rohit,
How long have you been on medication for?
My viral load is 9600 and cd4 is 497…is it good?
I take medicine now
Hi Thokozile,
Though this must be very frustrating for you, no one can force a person to use ARVs. ARVs are a personal choice.
If you’re husband has talk to his doctor then its very likely that he know what the risks are if he doesn’t use medication. Maybe he could talk to a councilor?
Me and my husband tested positive since 1998.i am treatment with cd4 count of 654 and he’s refusing to take treatment with a below 100 cd4.
I tried all my efforts to make him take it but he literally refuses.
Even our Dr tried to persuade him but still no luck. What other methods to make him take his meds.
Thokozile
Hi Solomon, which country are you in? In the UK. everyone is recommended to start treatment (ART) even when the CD4 count is high (above 500). Your viral load is also quite high though, so this is definitely a good idea to talk to your doctor about. All modern HIV combinations are very good with only small differences between them. Your doctor should be able to talk about the best options in your country and then which one is best for you. This guide answers lots of questions, including the choice of drugs:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hello, i am not sure if my diagnosis is good, my CD4 is 538 and my VL is 95.300 is the viral load dangerous ? I am kind of lost. Also i might start medication shortly, is genvoya the best current option ? Should i suggest this med to my doctor? i would really like to avoid meds with many secondary effects is there any i should avoid ?
Hi Kenny,
As soon as you begin to take your ARVs your viral load will start to drop. Then a bit later your CD4 will begin to rise. Only ARVs can do this. This link has more information about HIV treatment:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
You’ll be fine, but it is common to be worried in the beginning.
Hi. I recently found out that I’m HIV positive and I’m starting with my treatment today. I read on some articles that a normal/healthy CD4 count is 400 or more. I found out that mine is 373, and that worries me. How can I increase it whilst I’m on treatment?
Hi Chase, thanks for posting your experience and for your support and encouragement :)
Hi everyone,
Its been a while since I last posted on here, but I wanted to share my progress with all of you to show that with early detection and treatment you can live a long, healthy and happy life. I was diagnosed HIV+ in May 2016, with a CD4 count of 630 and viral load of 111,000 copies/mL. I’ve been on Genvoya since then, and as of today (January 2018), my CD4 count is 1,400 and viralload is still very much undetectable.
Please, if you’re reading this post and you haven’t been tested, please do so… Don’t be afraid, it will make a world of a difference. It will help save your life. There are people to help you who do care. God bless you all!