Hello again I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time. I'll post some results then ask some questions.

first CD4 taken in sept 2009 - cd4 382 cd4% 26

29/06/2010 CD3 - 904 CD8 - 617 CD4 - 289 CD4% - 26

23/07/2010 CD3 - 1309 CD8 - 1036 CD4 - 261 CD4% 16

16TH August started sustiva and truvada

10/09/2010 cd3 - 1574 cd8 - 1081 cd4 - 497 cd4% 26%

12/10/2010 cd3 - 847 cd8 - 467 cd4 - 385 - cd4% 35

1) What is my cd8/cd4 ratio and what does this mean? 2) I understand CD4 can bounce about but is it possible to drop 110+ and gain 9% at the same time!? 3)Do you know why my cd8 may have halved? 4) Is the rise to 35% reliable given that this has only happened because my cd8 has dropped (as opposed to the previous rise to 26% which was due to a rise in the absolute number of cd4?

My latest viral load hasn't come back but in just over 3 weeks on treatment it had dropped from 28000 to 558.

Thanks so much for your help

1.Your ratio is 0.82, and is moderately decreased. Usually the ratio in uninfected people is 1.5 to 2. It just indicates the relationship of CD4 cell count to CD8 count. We don't use it very much clinically. 2. Yes, the CD4 count can be highly variable, but the CD4% is a more stable number over time. 3. Could be a response to starting HIV treatment. Usually with HIV infection the CD8 count increases in reaction to the virus. 4. Yes, I would believe that number as a reflection of a treatment response.