Question
What are the effects of not taking ARVs if you are HIV-positive?
7 June 2011. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.
Answer
In general, most people who do not use ARVs will slowly develop a weaker immune system.
This is shown by a CD4 count that drops. At counts below 200 the risk of serious illnesses increases.
Treatment is recommended ion most guidelines before the CD4 count drops below 350.
At higher CD4 counts, ARVs are not usually used.
Hi Hembrose,
All FAQs about HIV testing and transmission are answered at this link.
hi, I have been getting irrigularities in my HIV results, sometimes negative at times positive. what could be the problem.
Hi Germinah,
It’s good that you never got sick. But taking ARVs means that HIV stops damaging your immune system. And that’s what keeps you healthy.
So stopping ARVs means that HIV will bounce back. Over time this damages your immune system and means your CD4 count will drop. A lower CD4 count increases risk of serious illness unfortunately.
Do you have access to your CD4 count? Please let us know.
Hi I have started using ARVs since 2011 ,then 2014 I defaulted then started again in 2015 and stoped since till 2019 currently am not taking any treatment.I never got sick even a mere flu.what could be the reason?or am I going to drop and die?
Hi Musa,
Perhaps the best way to answer this is to say that modern HIV treatment (ART) means that life expectancy is not affected by being HIV positive. HIV positive people with access to treatment can be expected to live as long as before they became positive. So successsful ART means that AIDS can be avoided.
But what did the doctor say when you tested postive? Are you able to access HIV treatment and care?
I have hiv positive i dnt know when it started but I fed some symptoms flu on 2016 and I hve not take any medicine. When it wil change to aids
Hi Pauline,
You’re not just going to drop down dead and die due to HIV, so whoever is telling you this is wrong.
Yes your CD4 count is high, however its now recommended that everyone who is positive should be on medication. If you’re ready, then yes I would start. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I tested positive in 2006, am not yet on arvs treatment, people say I must start because it’s dangerous I may just drop and die. My cd4 count is at 735. How safe am I? Please help.
Hi Modjadji,
Thanks for this helpful comment. Many HIV positive people on meds now talk about quality of life as the most important thing. And being the right weight for you as an individual is one aspect of this.
Please see this section in the guide to HIV and quality of life. There’s a lot of info about a balanced diet and your health. This can help you maintain the right weight for you as an individual. Regular exercise is good too!
Being HIV positive is not the end of road.I am 8yrs taking meds so let’s us keep taking our meds for the sake of our lyf,but my problem now is that am gaining more Wight bcz of them so how can lose wight while am taking them.