Dr H: I know that it is impossible to pin-point the exact infection date of HIV unless one knows for sure of the infection means, like a transfusion, etc., but is it PLAUSABLE to estimate the length of infection in months/years based on VL and CD4?? If so, here is my scenario: I'm a Female that had high-risk exposures from April 1996 until April 1998. High-risk being numerous unprotected intercourse acts and 3 anal-receptive acts throughout those 2 years with a male that is/was an IV drug user. In November 1997, I was hospitalized with Fever, Pharyingitis, Low Platelets, and General Ill Flu-like feeling. The symptoms resolved spontaniously within 3-5 days, and I felt fine until around March 1998, when I noticed my glands were swollen. In July 1998, I wet to the Dr. for the glands, and he found swelling of them in the neck, armpits, groin, etc. An ELISA and BLOT was done in July 1998, and was POSITIVE. Initial VL testing in July 1998 showed a load of 166,000, and a CD4 of 368. Immediatly began Viracept/Epivir/Zerit and i 3 weeks VL was 1,000 and CD4 was 500. Once again, Dr. H., is it PLAUSABLE that my infection occured sometime within that 2 year period, or have I been harbouring this disease for many years??? Thanks

It sounds like the first HIV test you had was in 7/98. The episode in 11/97 could well be an acute retroviral syndrome, although it sounds like you did not have an HIV test during that hospitalization. Two to four weeks before that could have been the time you were infected. The other possibility is that you were infected well before that. Given a CD4 cell count of 368, you could have been infected 2 years ago or longer. The viral load after seroconversion is a product of the type of virus you received and your underlying immune system and genetics. glad to see that the treatment is working for you. MH