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 was diagnosed HIV in Dec 2021 and cd4 is only 9. Today i got my test; viral load is 20 and doctor said it is good but should go under 20 is better. And my cd4 is only 61 :( Is my cd4 progress very low? Doctor said if cd4 under 350 i must keep taking Cotrim. What if I never make it above 350 and will take Cotrim for life?
Also; my cd8 is increase from 361 to 586 after 7 months; is it bad or good?
Thank you much
Hi Ravii,
It’s good to hear your father’s viral load is still zero. His HIV meds look like they’re working well. Taking HIV treatment (ART) that keeps viral load undetectable is the way to help increase CD4 counts.
But what did the doctors say about his CD4 count? Is he still taking antibiotics for the infection? Please talk to the doctors about both his HIV treatment and treatment for the pneumatic infection.
Hi , my father just got out of the hospital after slight pneumatic infection . Before he got admitted his CD4 was 365 and viral load was zero and now when he came out of the hospital his CD4 has come down to 69 and the viral load is still zero . What diet should we give him to get the CD4 back and how long does it takes for the CD4 to increase ?
Hi Bob,
What is it specifically that you’d like to know/ask?
My brother was diagnosed with HIV in April he never knew he had it and he swears he had never had sex with another man only with his wife he says they been having unprotected sex for 10 years she got tested she’s negative for HIV when he got to heal from the vomiting and other symptoms he spent three weeks in the hospital before he got diagnosed his CD4 count was 42 and viral load was 550,000 After four months on treatment with TRIUMEQ he is undetected and his CD4 count month and a half ago was 161 he just got bloodwork yesterday and waiting for results any comments would be appreciated he does not want to talk about it on his own on here so I told him I would be doing it for him any information of prognosis or chances are risks would be appreciated he also has MacAnd he’s been on meds for the past six months and doctor is telling him after his CD for a goes up he would be stopping at the antibiotics
Hi KK,
Please can you tell us more about your results and side effects? Do you have access to your viral load results? And what HIV meds are you taking?
Please let us know.
4 years, CD 4 below 135 and medication remains. Body on off are tiring.
Hi Janine,
I’m sorry, life sounds as if it’s been tough for your sister. But yes, she can take her medication again. She can ask the doctor to check that the same meds are still okay. As she’s had a break from treatment the doctor might suggest different meds this time.
Many people have recovered from low CD4 counts that are lower than 190. But normally the CD4 count takes time to recover once on medication. Having a healthy diet and looking after herself can help her feel stronger.
Hi, My sister has a count CD4 190. She was of her medication for 4 years. She has started taking her medication again. Can her count pick up if she takes her meds, eats healthy and changes her life style. S he was on the streets for 15 years on and off medication. Will she be fine? With her count does she have full blown aids?
Thank you
Hi Shor,
It really isn’t possible to predict how a persons CD4 count will increase. Which I appreciate can be frustrating. The important thing is that your mother is on medication. This will control her HIV.