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.
If you have 1100 cd4 without any medication, would advise to Begin art?
Hi S.A.
Your results look great. A CD4 count of 1350 is strong. That means your immune system can work well.
A viral load less than 50 copies means that you’re undetectable. And that can stop HIV damaging your immune system.
Here’s ART in Pictures. This shows how HIV treatment (ART) works. It’s put together in graphs and pictures.
My cd4 count is 1350 and vl is less than 50 doesn’t mean ìm undetectable
Hi Christobel,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.
What does your doctor say about your lymphocytes? And have you spoken to them about starting HIV treatment (ART)?
Please let us know if you’re starting ART and what the meds will be.
Treating HIV and cancer is is a highly specialised aspect of medical care. If you are diagnosed with any cancer, whether formally HIV-related or not, you need to be treated by an expert in HIV-related cancer.
I am just diagnosed with HIV with CD4 count of 463 viral load 3564000,I just wanna know about cancer as my lymphocytes are high 70%,how likely to have cancer,
Hi Litha,
Starting HIV treatment (ART) is the best way to help boost your CD4 count.
HIV drugs do not directly increase the CD4 count, but they help make an environment where this can happen. ART enables the CD4 count to increase to higher and safer levels.
CD4 usually increases more slowly and steadily than the dramatic drop in viral load when you start ART.
The biggest rise occurs during the first 6–12 months and this continues over the second year. Reaching a CD4 count above 500 is referred to as normal. But even if it doesn’t reach this high, the risk of HIV-related complications is dramatically reduced.
Please see this pic from ART in pictures.
Hi my cd4 count is 385 an my viral load is 5780.i just did the test few weeks ago, I’m starting treatment today.
Wanna know what are the chances of boosting my cd4
Hi Thabang,
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
However, this is a highly specialised aspect of medical care. If you are diagnosed with any cancer you need to be treated by an expert in HIV-related cancer.
Here is the guide to HIV and cancer.
My cd4 count is 1000 with vl of less than 50 been on treatment for a year now problem is I was diagnosed with cancer in 2019/06 and now my doctor says I need a blood transfusion m not experiencing any symptoms except rush on my back what should I do
Hi Mos,
If your HIV is under control, which it is, then the loss of appetite won’t be connected to your status. Please see a doctor if this is an issue.