not sure where to ask this so i'll try here. i've been on treatment for 5 years, sustiva and combivir. my viral load has been undetectable for 4 1/2 years. i've had only one oportunistic infection in the beginning and almost no side effects, but my t-cells won't go over 300. i exercise, take vitamins and almost never get colds even. why is this?

confused in jersey............

To be honest, we're not completely sure. While many patients have brisk and continuing CD4 count increases, some do not. This may be associated with the CD4 low point, older age, hepatitis C co-infection, and other factors. While we are worried about patients who fail to get over 200, someone like you, who is around 300, should feel relatively safe since opportunistic infections and other problems are unlikely if those levels are maintained. There are studies underway to evaluate the factors associated with limited CD4 recovery and potential treatments (e.g., IL-2) so more information should be coming along in the next year or so.