{"id":6824,"date":"2012-05-08T15:33:34","date_gmt":"2012-05-08T15:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/?p=6824"},"modified":"2012-05-08T15:33:34","modified_gmt":"2012-05-08T15:33:34","slug":"im-newly-diagnosed-whats-causing-me-continous-itching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/6824","title":{"rendered":"I'm newly diagnosed. What's causing me continous itching?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am sorry that you are experiencing what sounds like quite an uncomfortable itch.<\/p>\n

A CD4 count of 695 and a viral load of 6250 indicates that your immune system is still strong. A slight change in your CD4 count is not uncommon. This is because, CD4 counts flactuate (vary) depending on a number of factors including the time of day they the test is done.\u00a0 As regards your viral load, even though there is a slight variation, statistically, there is no difference between the two numbers.<\/p>\n

There is therefore, no immediate need for you to start treatment. The BHIVA (British HIV Association) guidelines recommend starting treatment with a CD4 count of 350. In terms of viral load, most people start treatment with a viral load of up to 50,000-100,000 copies or more.<\/p>\n

For your future reference for when you do need to start taking treatment, you may find it helpful to read our guide to An introduction to combination therapy. <\/a><\/p>\n

You mention that you were diagnosed in March, do you know if you were recently infected? Can I also ask which hospital you receive your HIV care from?<\/p>\n

In response to your question, as with any symptoms, the best way to confirm what is causing the continuous itching despite applying the prescribed cream, is to go back to your doctor. S\/he will be able to confirm why you are still experiencing the itching, and treat you accordingly.<\/p>\n

Best wishes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I was diagnosed in March and my CD4 count was 569 and viral load 2790. On my
\nsecond blood test after two weeks my CD4 went up to 695 and viral load 6250.
\nI am meant to go back in 4 months for another test.<\/p>\n

But now my face is itching and I have been given a cream by my GP to apply on it but it’s still
\nitching. What is wrong with me?<\/p>\n

Help needed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,28,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-topics","category-cd4-and-viral-load","category-newly-diagnosed","category-starting-treatment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6824\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-base.info\/qa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}