I have mild symptoms, daily muscle aches, spasms, fevers, swollen gums and tingling fingers. My symptoms never really went away after ARS (5 months ago). They are tolerable so long as they don't get worse.

MY CD4 count is 500. Unknown viral load.

I know starting meds would probably reduce or eliminate the symptoms, but I would rather wait. BUT.... With symptoms present, does that mean I'm allowing permanent damage to my immune system, or just short term damage (loss CD4 cells)to my immune system until meds begin? I'm other words, is there a long term disadvantage for not starting meds when you are in primary symptomatic phase?

Thanks for your help.

Thanks for your question.

While you do have some mild symptoms (that do deserve follow up), it's unlikely that you'll do irreversible damage by waiting to start treatment. Indeed, we have a number of recent studies that show that even if you wait too long (such as having a CD4 count of 50 or below) you are still quite likely to have a good response to treatment.

Good luck, BY