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 Patrica,
Laws that relate to HIV transmission vary depending on where you live. In some countries it isn’t a crime, in others it is. This is not an area that i-base work in.
They say it’s illegal to intentionally infect someone with HIV. I was intentionally infected and had tried to have this person prosecuted but I was told that I have to hire a lawyer myself. How is that even right?
Hi Dana,
Its great to hear that you are so coping so well with your diagnoses. Keep it up!
Hello, I have been recently diagnosed with hiv and my CD4 was 11. To be honest I felt fine then and feel absolutely fine now. I am on genvoya and some antibiotics and feelings absolutely amazing. My doctor said not to worry because your going to be fine. So I don’t worry myself. I take my medication in the morning and I continue to live my life as I have been because if you let it get to you it will eat you up.
Yes, and it’s important to start HIV treatment (ART) at that CD4 count. A CD4 count of 39 is low, but many people have started treatment lower than this – and they recover well.
You can talk to your doctor about having blood tests done before you start so you can discuss the best drugs for you to take. This discussion can also help make sure you’re ready to take your treatment in the right way.
You can find out more about starting treatment here
And you can find the i-Base introduction to ART here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hi, If a person tested HIV positive and the CD4 count is 39, can he or she be treated?
So sorry that it sounds like your cousin has been quite ill. But it looks as though his medicines are being prescribed carefully.
If you have active TB you should be on HIV treatment (ART). But if you’ve just tested positive and your CD4 count is low, TB drugs may be started first. So if you have a low CD4 count your doctor may treat the TB first, and could delay ART for up to 12 weeks.
It’s important that your cousin talks to the doctor about any symptoms, such as a high fever and spinning head. Is your cousin getting all the support he needs?
Hi, My cousin has tested positive. His CD4 count is 78 and percentage is 5%. He is also diagnosed with very initial stage of TB. The doctor has prescribed necessary medicine for TB and ART to be started from 13th of this month. Doctor said he had no infection at this low CD4 count which is good.
I am very scared and so my query is, will he survive? He has a high fever and his head spins. Feels weak sometimes and sleepy most of the time. He is not bed ridden sick though. Please tell how bad it is?
Your CD4 count is coming up just fine, as long as your virus is suppressed as that is the main reason for taking HAART – for the viral suppression
Hi Ralph
Your results are doing really well. If it much better to have a slow and steady CD4 count increase that for it to jump up quickly. For anyone starting HIV meds with a CD4 count under 50, it is common to take about a year to reach 100 and it might take another year to reach 150 or 200. This is all good, because your immune system is getting steadily stronger. You are out of the biggest risk zone but getting you count above 100, but you want to continue looking after yourself, and continue taking meds carefully so that you reduce that chance of getting sick again in the future.