Question

131 comments

1. Rebecca McDowall • 22 August 2013

   Hi,
   Thanks for your email. Your friend’s CD4 count is still quite good and it is good that they have started treatment. With effective treatment s/he can live a relatively normal life and continue to do everything they would have done if they were not HIV positive. Treatment is very effective and their life expectancy is likely to be very similar to somebody who is not HIV positive.

2. Rebecca McDowall • 1 August 2013

   Hi Nomzekelo,

   Thanks for your question. Do you know what your CD4 count was in 2009 when you were diagnosed?

   Not everybody’s CD4 count gets above 400. If you start with a low CD4 count it can be harder to get back up to these levels. Also, although most people have a ‘normal’ CD4 count between 400-1600 there are some people who have a ‘normal’ CD4 count lower than this.

   The most important thing while you are on treatment is that your viral load is undetectable. This means that HIV is not being allowed to replicate and it is not able to keep attacking the immune system. A CD4 count of 367 is good. While you are on treatment, your viral load is undetectable and your CD4 count is this high it is very unlikely that you will get ill.

3. nomzekelo • 1 August 2013

   hi am 35 yrs old and ws tested hiv positive in

   2009 when i was pregnant. i started arv’s bt up to nw my cd4 count does not reach 400 in may it was 367 and viral load was unditectable this worries me bt i hv never been sick. pls help and advice me what can i do so that my cd4 count goes up.

4. Rebecca McDowall • 6 July 2013

   Hi Sushma,
   I am not sure what your doctor means by this. Are you having problems with your eyesight? Do you know what your CD4 count is?

   If you are confused about something your doctor has said it may help to ask him/her to explain this to you.

5. SUSHMA • 6 July 2013

   PHYSICIAN SAYS THAT HIV VIRUS BEING APPEARING ON EYES. WHATS A MEANING OF THIS WHAT ARE RISKS/CHANCES FOR THIS PLEASE GUIDE.

6. Rebecca McDowall • 15 April 2013

   Hi Sakshi,
   I’m not sure why your doctor wouldn’t have suggested starting treatment but this may be because your CD4 count is still very close to 350. It’s a good idea to ask your doctor to explain this to you so that you understand what is going on.

   When you do start treatment you will need to plan to continue to take it everyday for the rest of your life. Please see our combination therapy guide for more information about starting treatment.

7. Sakshi • 15 April 2013

   Hi Rebecca, Thanks for your reply i belong to India Dear, and i also want to know in India what kind of medicine they provide as i am registered my name over there in ART department they provide free medicine but i am curious to know as they did not start medicine coz i have 378 cd4 count in december 2011 right now i have 346 …and i also know indian guideline is 350 but some one suggest me to withdrawl of medicine leave lots of lacks regarding body , joint pain etc. or once i start medicine i have to continue it whole life ….pls guide Thanks & Regards Sakshi.:)

8. Rebecca McDowall • 13 April 2013

   Hello,

   I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis – do you have any support to help you deal with this?

   CD4 counts vary a lot between different people- even HIV negative people. The ‘normal’ CD4 count for somebody without HIV is between 400-1600, with a few people being above or below that level. So although your CD4 count may be lower than you had expected one explanation might be that you naturally have a lower CD4 count than others. Please see this link for more information about CD4 counts

   The important thing is that your CD4 count is still good and you have been diagnosed in plenty of time to start treatment when you need to. Usually people start treatment when their CD4 is around 350 or below. Please see our combination therapy guide for more information.

9. anonimous • 13 April 2013

   last month i tested positive and my cd4 count is 391 and i have a 3yrs old child i was negative when i was pregnant so i am confussed about my cd4 count

10. Rebecca McDowall • 5 April 2013

    Hi Sakshi,
    In most countries people start treatment when their CD4 count is around 350 or below- meaning you would be eligible for treatment. Without knowing which country you live in I can’t be sure of the guidelines in your country. Please see our guide to starting treatment for more information.