Hello doc. It has been 3 years since my seroconversion. I decided on early treatment and have t cells about 1600-1800 and no viral load consistently. I'm on Sustiva and Epizacom. My pnuemococcal antibody was low and responded well to reimmunization at 6 months. I am going to get it rechecked. I have always suffered from sever allergies and recurrent sinusitis. My IgM levels were low a few years ago but I just let things be. I will be getting all this rechecked. Is there anything known about IgM defeciency and HIV POS status that you are aware of. I didn't think I would not have survived without your questions and answers that first year. Thanks so much.

While we think of HIV infection as an immunodeficiency disease involving T-cells, it also impacts B-cells - the cells that make antibodies. Now, often times during HIV infection B-cells make too many antibodies as a result of the absence of signals from T-cells controlling antibody production.

However, deficiencies in certain types of antibodies can also occur. Further, people without HIV can have IgM deficiency.

I would not worry too much. Your T-cells are good and that you responded to Pneumovax is a good sign.

DW