I am very upset about my recent lab work. Newly dignosd w/ hiv and my first test had a cd4 720 - vl 650. My doctor said that it appears my body is controling the infection very well and that I may even be entered into a special group of people that have the ablity to control hiv and remain very healthy. My most recent test reflected cd4 of 523 - vl 1021. My doc now wants me 2 think about meds. I was totally freaked out. I was wondering if the cd4 can flex that much in healthy people and if my flu shot may have had anything to do with the low cd4. I also have been under a lager amount of stress, depression and 5hrs sleep. Thank you, Upset and scared

First there is likely no real significant difference between those two sets of numbers and your CD4 count is still in the normal range. Second, there is no urgency to think about or even starting meds at this point. Another number to follow is your CD4 percent which is a more stable number over time. I suspect that this number did not change. And yes, many things can affect the Cd4 count, such as stress or immunizations.