Question
If my CD4 count is 1295, does it mean I no longer have HIV?
15 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I am HIV positive. My first CD4 count was 685 and then it went up to 1295 does that mean I am healthy and is the virus cleared in my body?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
A CD4 count of 1295 is fantastic! However, unfortunately it does not mean HIV is cleared from your body. CD4 counts do fluctuate up and down. It could also be that you were recently infected and your CD4 count is increasing after the initial infection. For more information please follow this link.
The good news is that your immune system is very good as your CD4 count is so high.
What is your viral load result? Usually this would be detectable, even with a high CD4 count, though a small percentage of people (less than 0.01%) maintain a high CD4 count and undetectable viral load, without needing HIV treatment.
Hello Charles and many thanks for your question.
Thank you for sharing your concern with us and opening up about the situation.
You sound very worried and I understand the situation is very complex.
There is no easy answer, unfortunately.
People living with HIV who stop taking medication can expect their CD4 counts will start going down and as time passes they can get sick.
This changes a lot from person to person.
There is no specific timeline (as every person’s immune system responds a bit differently) and this can be a reversible condition, if they go back on medication.
Some people, however, have significant side effects or don’t have a healthcare environment they can trust to discuss their concerns.
This makes it difficult to take medication on a daily basis.
If you would like to read some more information about what happens when someone stops taking HIV treatment please see here:
https://i-base.info/qa/11921#
I am also worried about you.
It sounds like you are in a difficult situation too and you also need some support.
Here in the UK, we have support groups for friends and families.
Is there some help you can access where you are based?
Would you like to continue talking to us about this in private?
Please do not hesitate to email at: questions@i-base.org.uk and we can discuss this further
Again, thank you very much for sharing this with us
A very good friend of mine is HIV positive. Stopped drinking meds in 2023. April 2023 her last cd4 count was 350 and viral load was 10.000. Drinking excessive alchohol. She was on Line 3 medication where she drank 3 in the morning and 3 at night. What can happen to her or her body now that she is not drinking meds.
Hi Hosen, these results show you have a strong and normal immune system and that HIV is not going to directly cause any problems :)
My CD4 result is 997 and CD4% is 37
Now I’m out of Danger or not?
Hi Soni, have you been to speak to a doctor about oral candidiasis and these skin rashes?
In the last 6 months have you had any further CD4 count tests? and do you know what your viral load is?
Are you also on a treatment called co-trimoxazole? This is an antibiotic used to prevent other infections as your immune system is recovering.
I have oral candalisis and skin rashes from last six months my cD4 60 when I started treatment
Hi Mary, how are you both doing? No you do not both have AIDS.
AIDS is defined as having a CD4 count BELOW 200 AND you have an AIDS defining illness. As this is not the case for either of you, you do not have AIDS.
Have you both started treatment? Treatment will allow your viral load to be suppressed and over time your CD4 count will be able to recover. Where are you based? Some countries recommend that you also use an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole to prevent any further infections as your immune system is recovering. This recommendation depends on your CD4 count. Some countries say below 200 and others 350.