Question
Why has my CD4 count dropped?
18 September 2013. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
My CD4 count was 300 in Nov 2012, that was when I started ARVs.
I found out I was HIV+ in Sep 2012.
My CD4 count dropped to 270 in Aug 2013. I take my meds regularly. Is it common for CD4 counts to drop and what can I do to make it better?
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for your email.
CD4 counts fluctuate. They go up and down. For example, CD4 counts are lower when you first wake up and higher later in the day. There is not a big difference between a result of 270 and 300.
Do you get your viral load checked at the clinic? When you are on treatment checking your viral load is a good way to know whether treatment is working well or not. If your CD4 count is not increasing, or it is going down, it’s important to know whether your treatment is working properly. A viral load test will be able to check this. If treatment is working well your viral load should be less than 50.
If you don’t have access to viral load tests it is important to keep checking your CD4 count regularly. If it does continue to decrease you may need to change treatment because this could be a sign that you have some drug resistance.
Hi Busisiwe,
Where you told what your viral load is? Have you been adhering to your medication?
I’m also worried about my cd4 count it was 127 when I found out that I’m HIV positive Nd my second results was 44 and Im worried because I’m pregnant and is my child gonna be infected