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AIDS Diagnosis
Sep 2, 2007
Even though I was diagnosed with AIDS it is my understanding that once the viral load is suppressed beyond detectable levels, and ones CD4 count rises above 350 you are now HIV+. That AIDS ony develops when the damage to the immune system is displayed in less than 200 CD4's ect...
So I guess my questions is even though a person can be diagnosed with AIDS from the get go is it realistic to reach a simple HIV+ level and take that title on as opposed to saying you still have AIDS? Or is a diagnosis with AIDS forever, even if you're viral load is suppressed beyond detectable levels and your CD4 count greater than 200?
I have been told that one cant die from being HIV+ but one will die from AIDS. So at what point does the diagnosis change if at all?
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Response from Dr. Horwath
AIDS is diagnosed when a person has HIV infection and develops one of several opportunistic infections or cancers, wasting syndrome or dementia. In the absence of an AIDS-defining illness, AIDS also is diagnosed if the CD4 count falls below 200.
Once a person has been diagnosed with AIDS, he or she is considered to have AIDS even if the CD4 count goes back up or they recover from their AIDS-defining disease. According to the current CDC definitions, viral load is not considered in the diagnosis of AIDS.
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