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HIV+ for 5 and a half yrs, what are the tests? & when to start treatment?
Nov 5, 2007
You must be fed up with such questions, pl answer me. Iam an Indian and have HIV+ for about 5 & half yrs. After elisa, i have not undergone any tests. In India even some of famous Hospitals also do not treat HIV/AIDS patients! Please advise me what are the tests to be taken up and how to live long? Please help me. Thanks.
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Response from Dr. Daar
People who are proven to be HIV infected should be monitored with regular examinations by an HIV specialist and select laboratory work. The most fundamental lab test is probably the CD4 cells since this gives one a sense of the strength of their immune system and what complications of infection they are at risk for. Additional tests should monitor the kidneys, blood counts and liver. In addition, people should undergo tests for hepatitis A, B and C infection as well as for tuberculosis and syphilis. Finally, if available viral load testing is helpful, particularly once a decision is made to intiate therapy.
Please note that above provides some general comments. More specifics regarding how you should be managed are best made as a result of a face-to-face meeting with a local HIV specialists.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Eric
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