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.
I have been infected with hiv since 16 yrs,I was leading a normal life eating healthy, drinking sensibly, but then due to some problems i started drinking a lot. My cd4 count dropped till 34 and i acquired TB. After taking TB meds (DOTS) i got negative for TB and my cd4 increased. After taking ART medicines it got to 62 and now after 6 months of meds it is at 104. Is this good or am i at a risk. In jan 2013, cd4 was 34, then in july 2013 cd4 was 62, now in jan 2014 is at 104.
Hi. It is good that your started treatment and that you have had such a good CD4 response. Having an undetectable viral load will also mean you can use these meds for many years, so long as you continue to take them at the right time.
The complications from PCP and TB (if the AFB test is for acid fast bacilli relating to TB) need to be managed by a doctor who knows about these complications in HIBV positive people. Please talk to your doctor about the shortness of breath, and how long this might last.
Hi, I am 31 and was diagnosed HIV positive in July 2012. Afterwards, I was stressed and started drinking high, as well as smoking. In January 2013 i was very sick and got almost all the symptoms of being infected.
My CD4 count was 103. I started the medication, after a month i was caught with jaundice and after couple of months of that i was caught with PCP. Since than i feel short of breath, i have been diagnosed with AFB also and got a biopsy done for the neck cold abscess.
Now, my viral load is less than 20 copies/mL and my CD4 count is above 340, but still i feel short of breath and when my abdominal lymph nodes are going to get cured.
Hi Imran,
I’m sorry to hear how unwell your aunt has been. Treatment of TB and HIV together can be challenging and it is likely that your aunt will experience some difficult side effects while she is on TB treatment. But provided that treatment works well (which it should if she is adherent and is monitored by her doctor) she has a good chance of recovering. Many people are treated for TB and HIV and go on to live long, healthy lives. Your Aunt’s CD4 count is actually quite good and therefore her chances of recovering a ‘normal’ CD4 count are also good. With treatment life expectancy is almost the same as for an HIV negative person.
Hi,
My aunt viral load is 5log or 134000 /ml and 198 cd4 count. she got TB and got some fluids in lungs which we took it out thrice. we have already started AKT for TB and ARV for HIV. she lost all weight, she is just 45 years she got 2 small children. since we have started the medicine will she recover from this stage or what are the chances of recovery from this situation. we also want to in this case how long a person can prolong their life when the condition of the person become so weak?
I expect a blunt reply
Thanks in advance.
Hi Melisa,
Although your boyfriend’s CD4 count is very low there is still a good chance that treatment will work well for him. Many people who start treatment with CD4 counts this low do well on ARVs. It’s good that he is in hospital where he can be monitored and get the treatment he needs. How is he?
This must be very difficult for you. Are you also HIV positive? Do you have any support? The hospital may be able to offer you counseling or put you in touch with a support group who can help you through this. Or, if you prefer, if you let me know where you live I can try to put you in touch with a local organization.
Hi
I just found out dat my boyfriend Cd4 is @ 4.
Does this mean he won’t make it since it is this low and already has been in a hospital for 2 weeks or maybe there is still hope.
Thank you
Hi Sibongile,
How much weight have you lost? Do you know what your CD4 count is?
There are no supplements that will treat HIV. The only way to stay healthy in the long term is to take ARVs when your CD4 count is 350 or less.
If you are losing weight without trying please tell your doctor about this.
Hi I am 24yrs old tested positive since 2009 both with my partner.
I have now lost some weight I was asking for any of your advise
if any of suppliment that we can take so that we stay long healthy before we can start ARV,s being normal without any kind of syntoms because i still have to look after my 6yrs old son please help.
I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s recent diagnosis. A CD4 count of 150 is quite low and it’s important that your brother starts treatment soon. Do you know if he has already started antiretrovirals (ARVs)?
When your CD4 count is under 200 you are at risk of getting ill with infections like TB and pneumonia. ARVs increase your CD4 count and make it less likely that you will get ill. You can read more about CD4 count and the risk of getting ill in our Introduction to combination therapy.