My partner currently has 50 cd4 cells +80,000 VL & has declined meds / all prophylaxis for over a year. my qustion is = whats the typical -average, mortality rate/s for someone like this. I know he's at extreme risk for a host of complications. When he stopped meds ,14 montha ago , he was undetectable, 140 cells, -he feels pretty darn ok, Im very distraught , resigned... thanx

Dear Distraught- Thanks for your post.

It sounds like your in a difficult situation. Persons with CD4 counts below 100, on average have a ~30% mortality per year. This number is based on the death rate among such persons in the pre-HAART era. Some persons do better, some do worse; but no matter how one looks at it, without any HIV medications or preventive (prophylactic) medications (to prevent pneumonia), your partner is at high risk-- even if he feels darn ok.

I'd think that the key issue is understanding why he stopped his medications at a time when they appeared to be working (at least virologically). Was it because of side effects or pill count? It's conceivable to me that these issues might very well be addressable.

Hope this helps. Write back if we can be of additional help. BY