a family member was diagnosed last year with hiv. after his 6 month recheck his count dropped much lower that expected. so the doctor said probably start medication next time (that will be in may. At first the doctor said probably 10 years before medication. i am very confused and now he has shingles. He has had numerous infections and takes antiobiotics very often. I am very scared his immune system is dropping lower and lower. Any advice?

I'm sure that the doctor said that it is usually 10 years between the initial HIV infection and developing any illness. Although your family member was diagnosed HIV+ last year, he or she may have had HIV long before the first positive test.

I don't know why things are getting worse now, but I agree with his doctor that now is the time to start treatment. A good treatment response should bring his CD4 count back up and stop these frequent illnesses, which are due to his current low immune function.