Dr. Holodniy,

I am living in Taiwan where my Taiwanese partner has just learned he is HIV+ after a trip to the hospital with what turned out to be PCP. After two weeks, his pneumonia is gone, he is much healthier, and he is even allowed to leave the hospital for a day to take part in his cousin's wedding. I am concerned, though, because his CD4 is only 44. He did not know to ask the doctor about viral load or percentage, so I don't have that information. I am concerned because his doctor has yet to start his HIV meds and is instead waiting for the PCP to be completely gone. Does this sound okay? I have faith in his doctor and the health system over here (it is actually pretty enlightened regarding this illness)but just felt he was being released too early.

Also, can someone with such a low CD4 respond well enough to meds to foresee a reasonably long future?

Thank you so much for these forums. While living over here and dealing with the unfolding situation, they have helped immeasurably.

there is no reason to wait until the PCP treatment is completed to start HIV treatment. Given how low the CD4 count is, I would start now. Once he starts treatment he will have a good CD4 count response. Most people will not see their CD4 count increase back to the normal range, but it will increase high enough to be out of the danger range of developing other opportunistic infections.