Question
Please can you answer these three questions about CD4 count?
9 October 2013. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Please can you give me advice about these three situations?
Situation 1: I am last two years positive. age 33 man. i am not on medicine. my cd4 1515. viral load undetectable.
No smoking no drinking. Eat well. Can I live long?
Situation 2: I am fit and hiv+ my last cd4- 1200. no viral load. I am not on meds because i am afraid about ARVs.
what can i do? what is the right time to start ARVs? can I use a healthy diet to improve my CD4 count without using ARVs for 15-20 years?
Situation 3: My CD4 660 viral load 400. i am not on med. if my CD4 is over 500, does that mean i am normal as HIV negative person? I am slim so what can do to increase my weight?
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your emails. Please see our Introduction to combination therapy for general information about CD4 counts, viral loads and starting treatment.
Situation 1
A CD4 count of 1515 is high but still in the normal range. The ‘normal’ range for HIV negative people is 400-1600, so you are right at the top of this. This suggests that your immune system has not been damaged by HIV. It is very unusual to have an undetectable viral load when you are not on treatment. A very small number of people do have this, but it’s important to check with your doctor if this is correct.
If these test results are correct this means you are doing very well. You will need to be monitored regularly by a doctor. If your CD4 count drops you may need to start treatment with ARVs. In the UK people usually start treatment when thier CD4 coiunt is between 350 and 500. So long as you start treatment if/when you need it your life expectancy almost the same as an HIV negative person.
Situation 2
When you say you have ‘no viral load’ do you mean that you have been told this is undetectable, or that you do not have access to viral load testing?
A CD4 count of 1200 is very good. In most countries people don’t start ARVs until their CD4 count is below either 500 or 350.
Almost everybody needs treatment at some point but the time it takes between infection and your CD4 count dropping to 350 varies a lot between people. Please see this page about average time to treatment.
No foods, supplements or herbs can increase your CD4 count. ARVs are the only medicines that can do this. Eating a healthy diet may help to maintain your CD4 count for longer though and is good for your health generally.
Situation 3
Are you HIV positive? I have assumed that you are in answering this question, although you as if you are normal ‘as HIV negative person’.
A CD4 count of 660 is very good, and a viral load of 400 is also good. This shows that your immune system is still strong. Please see this page for information about CD4 counts and risk of illness.
If you want to gain weight you will need to increase the number of calories you eat. If you are worried that your weight is too low and you can not gain weight it’s important to discuss this with your doctor.
Hi Marent,
The World Health Organisation recommend that everyone who is HIV positive should be on meds. Therefore, if you are ready to start, which it sounds like you are, you should tell your doctor.
All ART is the same, insofar as it works at increasing your CD4. Your doctor should discuss this will you.
For more on starting ART please see the following guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Pls I am positive and my cd4 count is 370,pls how soon can I start taking meds and what kind of ART will I start taking to increase my cd4
count
Hi Roslyn,
Once a person is HIV positive then they will be positive for life. Therefore, taking meds for 4 months will not make a person negative.
Do you know what meds your friend was given? Also what tests has she had done? Is she still taking the meds?
my friend was tested positive and the doctor said after 4 months of treatment that maybe it will show negative if she does everything that he says, because nothing indicated that she is indeed positive all other test done in her blood shows there no virus? what does this means?
Hi Chantelle,
Being diagnosed can be a shock. Try and give yourself some time. Is there anyone that you can talk to for support?
A cd4 of 500 is good. It can’t though indicate when you were infected. Because your CD4 is good, yes you can give yourself some time before you start meds. So if you want to start next month, then you can do this. What’s important to know is that people who are positve can live well and have long lives. I’ve added some links that might be of help.
Just diagnosed: http://i-base.info/just-found-out/
Starting meds: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I found out in October that am HIV positive.. I am 24. I was devastated, I still am…my cd4 count was just over 500 does this mean I have had hiv for a long time or was I infected recently…can I go for another month before starting my treatment?I am so scared n stressing a lot because of this.
Thank u in advance for your great help
Hi schaleen,
WHO recommend that everyone who is positive should be on meds. The reason for this, is that it will benefit your health. For more info please see the results from the START study:
http://i-base.info/start-study/
ARVs are the only thing that can help your HIV. However, it is up to you if you deiced to take treatment or not.
my CD 4 is 480 and I’m not on med. I’m strong and fit.will I be I danger if I continue not taking da med?
Some information needed my cd4 and cd8 detected above 800 HIV test results negative all three times in a gap of months. Having all symptoms of HIV/AIDS. My b12 was detected very low 30pg/ml after treatment still I am have symptoms after 6 months. My question is, Can the b12 deficiency cause any change in testing for HIV will it give false negative all three time tested in 6 months. 2, am I already progressed to Aids and my cd4 have raised after acquiring Aids which cannot help me anymore.
Hi glenrose.
You’re welcome.
I’m not sure what the problem is with your side. Perhaps you could talk to a doctor about this. What antibiotics are you taking for the pain?