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Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

Ask the Experts about Women and HIV

 

CD4 counts and treatment
Aug 20, 2005

What is a normal CD 4 count for a healthy person and what number should one start medication for HIV treatment

Response from Dr. Luzuriaga

A normal CD4 count for an adult is over 500. Most guidelines use symptoms, as well as CD4 count (and sometimes viral load) to guide the initiation of therapy. The US guidelines (available on this web site under the "Treatment" section" ) recommend that all adults with AIDS and asymptomatic individuals with CD4 under 200 receive therapy regardless of CD4 count. Therapy is also recommended for individuals with CD4 over 350 but with viral load over 100,000. The World Health Organization Guidelines recommend treatment for anyone with AIDS and those with Stage III disease with CD4 under 350; for less symptomatic individuals, therapy is generally recommended only for people with CD4 under 200.

I would urge you to review the guidelines and other materials on this web site and then discuss your options with your care provider.



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