Question
My CD4 is 500, VL is 1000, is that bad?
21 January 2013. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
My CD4 is 500 and viral load 1000, should I be worried?
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your email. Can I ask if you have just been diagnosed with HIV? If you have, how are you coping?
Both of your test results are very good.
A ‘normal’ CD4 count for somebody who is HIV negative is between 400-600. In the UK HIV treatment isn’t recommended until your CD4 count is 350 or below. This is because while your CD4 count is above 350 your immune system is still strong, and you are very unlikely to become ill because of HIV.
Your viral load is quite low, which is good. The viral load isn’t such an important test result unless you are on treatment already.If you are not on treatment then the viral load result is not usually used to make any treatment decisions. The exception would be if your viral load was 100,000 or above, which can be a reason to start treatment.
If you are on treatment the aim is to reach a viral load of less than 50. This is usually achieved within 3-6 months of starting treatment.
For more information about CD4 count and viral load please see our Introduction to combination therapy.
Hi Ziyanda, It’s really good to hear you’re doing great. There’s nothing to suggest that bodies get used to treatment and it stops working.
Hi my name is Ziyanda, I’m almost 50 yrs of age. I started treatment in 2012 and I’m doing great. My CD4 is always above 800 and my viral load always below 40. I think my fear is to get sick at some point. Do you think my body will eventually get used to the treatment and somehow stop working?
Hi Enhle,
You’re doing great. Your CD4 is very high and your viral load is undetectable. This means that your HIV is under control. You also can’t transmit HIV when having sex without using a condom.
Please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/20
http://i-base.info/qa/4669
Hi my name is Enhle. Im on my sixth month on ART my CD4 is 1173 and VL20
What does it mean? Should i be worried?
Hi Thando, Have they told you what’s wrong? Generally, it’s not recommended that people stop HIV treatment. However, your CD4 count is strong and your viral load – even though not under 50 – is low at 150.
It’s important that you ask your doctors about your sickness, and that they change your HIV treatment very soon.
hi
my cd4 is 903 and my viral load is 150… doctor’s stopped me from taking ART since I got sick, they told me they have to change my treatment…it’s almost a week now and I fear I’ll be default
what can I do
Hi Mee, A CD4 count of 700 is strong. HIV treatment (ART) can get your viral load below 50, and that means HIV is undetectable. Are you taking ART? You can read much more about viral load questions here.
My cd4 is over 700 n my viral load is abt 1000.
Hi Ivy,
Are you on medication? If you are how long have you been on meds for?
Hi my name is Ivy my viral load is 124 I just want to know that what happening