Question
My CD4 count didn't go above 150, how long have I got to live?
12 April 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Living with HIV long-term.
How long do I have, honestly?
I have been diagnosed positive for just over 3.5yrs presenting at 35yrs of age with shingles and a CD4 count less than 05. My health has remained fairly stable since diagnosis, apart from 2 episodes of abnormal cell growth (Intraepelithial neoplasia PIN/AIN), but I have been unable to increase my CD4 count over 150 and the CD4 % remains low between 15-19% with HAART therapy.
I am just wondering, truthfully how long a person can be expected to live with constantly low immunity?
Everyone keeps saying to me ‘well, I could get run over by a bus tomorrow’ but this doesn’t help my situation, nor can this statement be compared to living with a long term condition.
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Please do not worry, your CD4 count has increased considerably since your diagnosis. This is something to be pleased about. Having a CD4 count below 200 can mean you are more at risk of opportunistic infections. However, it is important to remember that everyone’s system is slightly different. Some people get sick when they have high CD4 counts whilst others have CD4 counts of below 100 and are feeling very healthy. Please read this section of our guidebook which focuses on what it means to have different CD4 counts.
Whilst you may be at slightly higher risk of opportunistic infections, if you lead a healthy lifestyle – don’t smoke, drink sensibly, sleep well, don’t get too stressed, eat healthily, get regular exercise etc then you could expect a near normal life expectancy and a good quality of life. Please read this similar question including the referenced article about life expectancy to learn more.
The rate at which CD4 counts increase is usually related to how low they got before treatment was started. As your CD4 count was so low to begin with it could take you much longer to see more of an increase in your CD4 count. For more information please read this article. As I said, this is not something to worry about. Once you are on treatment as long as your viral load remains undetectable then that is the most important thing to focus on.
Hi my brother had test and found that he`s HIV+ and his CD4 count is 150. Does that mean he is at risk?
It is very common to experience CD4 fluctuations. This may be the case now even though one result is much lower than the other. Once you are on treatment the most important thing is that your viral load remains undetectable.
With any unexpected CD4 result it’s important to have another test to confirm the result. It’s important to check whether this is a real result or if your CD4 count is back up on another test.
Some natural medicines can interact with HIV treatment so it’s important to let your doctor know about everything you are taking. Stress can affect your health too. Do you have any support to help you deal with this?
Hello, In May of 2012 my CD4 was 722 in October of 2012 it went down to 500
should I be worried? I am drug free and Drink very little.I eat well and excercise often…I take a Multi Vitamin daily, fish oil and have recently started taking Bee Pollen , Bamboo Shoots, Lotus Leafs, Semen coicis and tarragon leafs. I have a 15 yr old son whom has been giving me some stress with school and courts…Can the stress be causing this or all the natural ingredients I am taking??
Thank You in Advance
Hi Chile,
Sorry I’m not sure I understand your question. A CD4 count of 621 is very good. Your CD4 count can’t tell me whether you have HIV 1 or 2.
How are your cousin and husband getting on?
My CD4 count is 621 am I hiv 1 or 11?
Your cousin’s CD4 count is very low and they need to be on treatment. For more information about CD4 counts please see our CD4 count FAQs
My cousin’s CD4 count is 35 and mine is 615 is it ok?
Hi Bulelwa,
It’s important that you go to your clinic or doctor if you are confused about your test results. If your CD4 count is 120 you are at risk of getting ill and need to think about starting treatment. I can’t comment about testing in a car as this is something I haven’t heard of before.
Best of luck,
Rebecca
Last 4 month i had an HIV test in the hospital and i travelled home and i had another test they told me i’m HIV-+ and also my CD-4 count is low at 120 and i did it in the car on the street is that possible please help i’m worried
A personal story to back that up. I had a CD4 count of 15 at diagnosis 10 years ago, percentage of about 8%. Had a few associated health problems back then, the most serious being a pre-cancerous wart. I got on with my life, but for the 3 or so years I was under 200, there was always a niggling worry that something could come along…
In fact, I’ve stayed pretty healthy and am now averaging a CD4 count of around 450, with a percentage in the mid-teens. Clinically, I reckon I’m doing better than some friends with higher counts.
I know your starting point was even worse than mine, and there are no guarantees with HIV (or with life in general), but my experience suggests there’s no inevitability about your getting ill. And, though the climb above 200 might be painfully slow, I made it eventually, so why not you too? All the best – take care of yourself!