Question
Can I increase my CD4 count from 61 to 450?
6 March 2012. Related: All topics.
If your CD4 count is 61 then what are the chances of getting back to the routine level that is 450 and above?
Answer
The only way to increase your CD4 count is to take HIV medication.
If your CD4 count is 61 it is important that you start treatment as soon as possible. This is because a CD4 count of this level shows that your immune system is not very strong. This means you are more likely to get opportunistic infections such as pneumonia. It doesn’t mean you definitely will get ill, just that it is more likely than if your CD4 count was higher. For more information on the risk of infections at this CD4 count you can have a look at this link.
The main aim of starting treatment is to achieve an undetectable viral load. This means that the amount of virus in your body will be much less. When there is less of the virus in your body it will be able to start to repair itself. Your immune system will get stronger and your CD4 count will start to increase. It can take quite a long time for the CD4 to rise. Your CD4 count might not get to 450 again but it should gradually increase to a point where you are less likely to get opportunistic infections.
For more information on HIV medication and starting treatment please take a look at this link.
Hi,
A CD4 count of 471 is still strong. Your risk for opportunistic infections only increases at lower counts. In the UK guidelines recommend that people with HIV start treatment at a CD4 of 350.
My CD4 count is low it’s running around 471 what can i do, please help.