Question
My CD4 is 955, what’s my life expectancy?
13 December 2013. Related: CD4 and viral load, Complications and coinfections, Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term.
I am HIV+. My last CD4 955. vL 35000.
I am not on ARVs and I am also T.B. patient.
What is my life expectancy?
plz answer me doctor plz
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your email. Please note that advocates at i-Base are not doctors and we have no formal medical training.
A CD4 count of 955 is very good and suggests your immune system is strong. You can read about CD4 count and viral load monitoring here.
Are you receiving treatment for your TB?
Lots of people ask us about life expectancy. With ARVs, started when you need them (usually with a CD4 count around 350) HIV+ people can have a very good life expectancy, similar to HIV negative people. There are lots of previous questions about this here.
Hi Lao, weight changes have been associated with efavirenz. This is not something that is experienced by everyone and by keeping an eye on your weight you can see if there are any changes happening. Often this becomes noticeable if clothes start to feel loose.
This combination needs to be avoided with high fat foods when eating at the same time. The high fat can increase how much efavirenz is absorbed by the body and make the side effects more prominent. Have you noticed any side effects yet while you have been taking it?
More information about efavirenz can be seen here: https://i-base.info/guides/734
Which country are you based in? and was this the first combination of treatment that you were offered? Did the doctor prescribing mention anything about weight loss and what to look out for?
Hello!
Im currently seeking a safe place where I can ask questions about my status being HIV positive, I have so many questions to asks, and want to know the answers aside from my doctors advices.
I was diagnosed HIV last January 8, and taking the ART right away.
Im taking also tb meds since In clinically diagnosed.
Im taking Efavirenz/ Lamivudine/ Tenofovir Disorpoxil Fumarate and Im taking it every night.
Im reading, that side effects of this one include fat loss, is it affect to anyone taking this? Or how to prevent this one? Im getting anxious about fat loss that Im reading
Please advise me.
Thank you
Hi Vivek,
It sounds like you need some support. Is there someone that you can talk to, maybe a close friend or relative?
Feeling like this is common. However, HIV is now a very manageable health condition. Because you’re on meds you’ll be controlling your HIV. What this means is that your life expectancy should be the same as it would have been had you not been diagnosed. For more info please see Q10 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
For support, the following might help:
https://i-base.info/qa/11906
My CD4 is 511. What was my life expectancy? I’m on ARVs. I don’t know how to tolerate this. I want to commit suicide, but I can’t.
Hi Tam,
Fat loss is no longer a common side effect. However, all ARVs have the potential to cause body changes. Are you currently on meds? If you aren’t you may find this of some help:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hello, please which of the ART’s is best to prevent fat loss?
Hi,
Because you are starting treatment there is a very good chance that your baby will not be born with HIV. The aim of treatment for everyone, including pregnant women, is to get an undetectable viral load. This usually takes 1-3 months. You have plenty of time to get there.
You can find more information about HIV and pregnancy here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Im 17 weeks pregnant and positive I found out that my partner is also positive. Will my baby also be positive. I’m starting treatment today to lower the risk of transmission but I’m very scared to say the least.