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Newly diagnosed-troubling first lab results
Apr 5, 2009
I tested (+) last week, prior (-) test was 4 months before. Infection was recent. My lab results are as follows: CD4-271, 21%, vl-47,000.
Dr. says to retest in 2 wks. Is this reason to be concerned? Is it normal to have a severe drop in CD4 count w/ new infection also considering no base to refer to? What does all of this mean?
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Response from Dr. Holodniy
Yes, you can have a significant drop in CD4 count and percent with acute infection. He likely wants to see whether your counts will go back up again or are going to stay down at this level, in which case HIV treatment would be considered now rather than later. In most people with chronic infection we start treatment when the CD4 count is < 350. A CD4 count of < 200 or 14% indicates someone has AIDS and is at risk for serious opportunistic infections. So these numbers would be what the doctor would be considering when he gets another set of labs.
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