Question

Is my relative's HIV progressing too rapidly?

10 May 2008. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.

My brother recently found out he is HIV positive. He is certain that he has caught HIV within the last year. He has had his first set of blood results back and his CD4 count was 250 and his viral load was 49,000. Does this sound as though the HIV is progressing really fast? I am so worried about him, and wish I could do more for him.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear about your relative and the anxiety you are going through. It is very difficult to determine whether someone is progressing slowly or rapidly with HIV if you only have one set of results. It might be possible in the future if there are other results to compare with.

The important thing at this time, is that he is getting the support he needs from you and his treatment centre. He can continue to be monitored and given advice by his medical support team. It is great that you are also there for him.

He will, however, need to start thinking about starting HIV treatment if he is not on treatment yet. The UK HIV guidelines recommend that people living with HIV start treatment when the CD4 hits 200. The guidelines are being reviewed and will probably recommend that HIV treatment should be initiated when the CD4 count is 350.If a CD4 count falls below 300, a person is at a higher risk of opportunistic infections that cause diarrhoea and weight loss.

Once effective treatment is initiated, the CD4 count is bound to climb and the viral load will gradually come down. Many people living with HIV live well on treament for many years. For more information on HIV treatment, please have a look at our HIV treatment guide.