Question
Does treatment work if you start with a low CD4 count?
5 January 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Living with HIV long-term, Starting treatment.
Hello
Can a person with a very low CD4 cells count below 200 recover his health by taking treatment and live more than a decade?
Thank you.
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your question.
Treatment will work at any CD4 count.
However the lower it goes below 200, then greater the risk that something serious might happen before this. If your count is already low and you have been lucky so far, then starting now is important. If your count is still above 200 now, then starting before it drops below 200 is important.
Most current guidelines recommend starting when the CD4 count is around 350, if you have access to newer medication that doesn’t require using d4T (stavudine) or AZT (zidovudine).
The main limitation from starting with a low CD4 count is that this will limit how high your CD4 count can recover.
A recent study provided some guidelines as to what this mean in practice. We also reported this research in HTB.
CD4 increases strongly correlated with CD4 count when they started treatment.
For example, the following percentages of people reached a CD4 count over 500:
My cd4 is 81, and they have not gave a treatment yet, from the clinic, they say I must be seen by a doctor first, I am asking if I can see a specialist
Hi. I just found out im hiv positive and my cd4 count is 90. The doctor prescribed me with Trivenz. Its been 5 days taking them but I have severe side effects such as headache, back pain, stomach ache. Is it because I just started taking the pill. And how long will it take for me to recover.
Hi Mandy,
Side effects usually last for a few weeks. If they don’t get any better, you should discuss this with your doctor. Please also see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/3560
Hi Sia,
The weight loss could be related to the HIV. It could however be due to stress or for example a change in lifestyle. Also, when you say weight loss, how much weight have you lost?
Hey, I was diagnosed HIV positive 3 months back and my CD4 count is 162. I have lost a lot of weight. I’m taking the treatment.
Hi Lollypop,
Slow down, give yourself some time to breath. You’re going to be OK.
In most cases, HIV is no longer what it used to be. HIV medication is excellent and its very possible to live an normal and healthy life. And one where your life span will be the same as if you weren’t positive. Its highly unlikely that you’re going to die from HIV. Though these thoughts are common when someone is newly diagnosed.
If you can it might be worth contacting a support group near to where you live. Being able to talk to others who are positive can help, especially when you’re newly diagnosed.
You’re already doing the right thing by starting ARVs. The ARVs will help your CD4 to rise and your viral load to decrease. In time your body will recover.
Other than the ARVs were you given any other medication? If you were what were you given?
Hi my name is lolly,I’m 31yrs old,just found out last month that I’m HIV positive. Today I went to my fist checkup after my diagnosis, my CD4 is 108. They gave me treatment to start immediately. I’m so scared I’m going to die soon and leave my two kids. I have no one to talk to,please help me.
Hi James,
Have to thought about contacting a HIV support group close to where you live? Or talking to a close friend or relative? This may help with the anxiety and uncertainty that you are feeling.
With regards to a persons CD4 count rising, even people who are diagnosed with a CD4 of less than 200 will see their CD4 rise. This is of course if they are on treatment. If you aren’t currently on treatment and have a low CD4 its important that you start.
If you’re suffering from diarrhea then this is something that you should talk to a doctor about. If you’re on treatment, then it could be a side effect of the meds. This though should go within a few weeks. Weight loss can be a result of this.
With regards to your blood work, were you told how long it would take to get it back? When you get it back, if you’d like to let us know what it was, we could be able to help.
I hear other peoples stories but none of them say they have an AIDS diagnosis and were able to get their numbers back up from it. Or if any have experienced diarrhea for weeks and weight lost. I’m just so worried its taking forever for the blood work to come back, I need to talk to someone.
Hi Mdu
Great that you have started treatment. The meds will help your CD4 count get stronger.
The “immune booster” will not do anything.