Question
What are the effects of not taking ARVs if you are HIV-positive?
7 June 2011. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.
Answer
In general, most people who do not use ARVs will slowly develop a weaker immune system.
This is shown by a CD4 count that drops. At counts below 200 the risk of serious illnesses increases.
Treatment is recommended ion most guidelines before the CD4 count drops below 350.
At higher CD4 counts, ARVs are not usually used.
Hi Matilda, do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is? How is your health in general now?
What treatment were you on before and what were the side effects?
What about restarting are you scared of?
Hi I was diagnosed positive 7years ago I took ARVs for only 4 months then I stopped because I traveled and been busy , the ARVs had a bad side effect on so am scared to restart