Question
Why does my CD4 count drops?
24 February 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Why does CD4 count drops?
Answer
There are many reasons why your CD4 count can drop.
If you have any kind of infection such as cold, flu or fever then it can cause your CD4 to drop.
If someone is infected by immune deficiency illness such as cancer or HIV, this can also reduces their CD4 count. If not treated, their CD4 count can drop to a very low level and they can develop other opportunistic illnesses (OIs).
HIV medication works by stopping the virus from replicating itself and therefore preventing the virus from further damaging the immune system. When your viral load has been reduce to undetectable level (less than 50 copies) then your CD4 count will go up, but not to the level before infection.
For more information on the same subject, please look at the link below.
Hi Alex,
Have you just found out you’re HIV positive? This can be a shock to all of us. But please see this post. As it says, Even though it may not feel like it, your health will be better now you know your HIV status.
It’s great that you’re starting HIV medication (ART) tomorrow. Starting ART can have important benefits for your health, whatever your CD4 count.
Please see this Introduction to ART, and ART in Pictures for much more info.
Please let us know how it’s going.
I was told that my CD4 count is 189 and viral load 189000 and scheduled for a doctor tomorrow to start my medication .I fill very healthy and strong,how can it drop this much
Hi Keamo,
The tests that you’re doing, so the rapid tests are you doing these at home? Have you had a viral load test done?