Question
My CD4 count is good but I am ill – is this normal?
21 April 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
Hi.
I’m a 30 year old male. Diagnosed last April, 2010 with a CD4 count of 360. In January of this year my CD4 count was 415. I’m not on medication.
However, over the last 4 months, I am getting consistently ill. I had flu (despite getting the flu jab) in December and spent 10 days in bed, and then caught a secondary infection (headaches) a few days after recovering from the flu. Since then I regularly have throat infections, fevers, flu-like symptoms, headaches and have had several courses of antibiotics, and many a week spent poorly in bed.
Is this normal and therefore something I need to get used to?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am very sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell. Have you spoken to your HIV doctor about this?
Everyone’s body is slightly different and although your CD4 count is high it is possible that you  may benefit from starting treatment early. The treatment guidelines in the UK state that if anyone is experiencing HIV-related infections and is continuously ill then this could be an indication for early treatment. This is nothing to worry about. Starting treatment may help to make you feel much better.
You need to talk to your HIV doctor about this possibility as you shouldn’t have to just endure these infections.
For everything you need to know about HIV treatment please download and read the i-Base guidebook, ‘Introduction to Combination Therapy’
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