Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |
 |
Cd 4 count
Apr 29, 2008
I just found out that I'm HIV positive , my cd4 count is at 60. Should I be concerned? They haven't started meds other than antibiotics. Am I at risk for other illnesses?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello,
Yes, a CD4 count of 60 is indicative of severe immunodeficiency. A CD4 count that falls below 200 is one of the criteria for an AIDS diagnosis (as opposed to being "HIV positive"). At CD4 counts below 200 the risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies increases significantly. The lower the count, the greater the risk and the broader the range of potential opportunistic illnesses one becomes susceptible to contracting. I would urge you to consult an HIV/AIDS specialist ASAP. Do not delay. The antibiotics you have been started on are most likely being given to help prevent certain opportunistic illnesses. For example Bactrim DS is prescribed to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Hopefully your physicians have already drawn blood for an HIV resistance test to see if your particular strain of HIV is resistant to any antiretroviral drugs. This information can be very helpful in assisting your HIV specialist in recommending an antiretroviral drug combination that will be most effective in suppressing HIV replication. As HIV replication is suppressed (hopefully to undetectable levels), your CD4 count should begin to increase. You can read much more about HIV/AIDS on this Web site. I suggest you start with "The Basics," as you seem to have much to learn about the disease. Try not to get scared, but do get informed and don't hesitate in getting an HIV/AIDS specialist involved in your care immediately.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
