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Viral Load High CD4 Average Mar 29, 2009 Thanks Doc for your time. My Current Viral load is 160,000. My CD4 count is at 436. I recently contracted HIV 6 months ago. My doctor has advised me to wait on taking medication, is this wise? Should I look into treatment with such a high viral load? Is the viral load likely to rise or go down without medication for the time being? |
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| Response from Dr. Holodniy
 If you were infected within the last 6 months, it is possible that your viral load could drop a bit more, or you have reached your set-point now. There is no urgency for you to start HIV medications given what your current CD4 count is. If on the next set of labs the viral load remains > 100,000, some experts would recommend starting treatment. Current guidelines suggest starting treatment when the CD4 count is < 350, or if > 350, when the viral load is > 100,000. You fit into this camp. But, the decision to start treatment above 350 usually depends on whether people are having symptoms, or how fast their CD4 count is dropping. | ||||||||
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