I have had HIV for about 2 1/2 years. I know this because of a negitive test 2 1/2 yearsago. I tested positive for HIV about one year ago and for the last few months (4)I've watched my T-Cells drop from 900 to around 450 with a viral load of 35,000.My doctor started me on AZT when my T-Cells reached 500 and the medication has slowedthe drop, but I still get strange infections and I still suffer from masive fatigue.I am now on AZT and 3TC, but the problems are still there. Can you offer any advice?Joe Grimmettondes@slip.net

I really can't give you specific advice. This isn't the place for it, and I don't know the details of your story. There is a great deal of variation in the rate at which people progress. We now know that those who progress more rapidly have higher viral loads than those who do not. The best thing you can do to stop that progression is to take a combination of antiretroviral agents that get your viral load down to the lowest possible level. For example, if your viral load is high on your current medications, then changing to a different combination, especially one that includes a protease inhibitor, might be the most effective way to lower your viral load and raise your CD4 count.

You didn't say what your CD4 count is now, but at 450 it would be unusual to have frequent infections and fatigue. People with high CD4 cell counts and severe fatigue should look for reversible causes of their fatigue, rather than just attributing it to HIV. Two causes that jump to mind are depression and AZT-related anemia, but there are many others. You need to discuss your symptoms and your concerns over rapid progression with your doctor. Good luck!