How Do Doctors Determine How Long Someone Has Had Hiv

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

HIV Resistance Testing

What Is Resistance? HIV is "resistant" to a drug if it keeps multiplying rapidly while you are taking the drug. Changes (mutations) in the virus cause resistance. HIV mutates almost every time a new copy is made. Not every mutation causes resistance. The "wild type" virus is the most common form of HIV. Anything different from the wild type is considered a mutation. An antiretroviral drug (ARV) won't control a virus that is resistant to it....

Ask the Experts

How Employers Can Determine Your HIV status

Dear Doctor:I know insurance companies are not allowed to disclose the name of an employee but they are allowed to share information about medical costs for a specific employee. Given the high cost for HIV treatment.(on average $20K per year and...

Response from Jacques Chambers, C.L.U.

HelpWithBenefits.com

I understand your point, and an employer can certainly speculate on why an employee has such high medical bills, even more so if it a person who is out at work. However, it is all speculation. How many employers (and other ignorant people) assume... Read more »

t-cell count determines hiv or aids diagnosis?

I remember my doctor at the time told me if my t-cell count dropped below 200, I would be considered to have Aids, but until then I am HIV+. Is this true? My t-cell count has dropped as low as 48, but is currently over 300. Can a person go from Hiv+...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,I'll repost below a question and response from the archives that addresses this concern. In brief, once a diagnosis of AIDS has been made, it is not rescinded, even if the CD4 count rebounds or the AIDS-defining opportunistic infection is... Read more »

Is it possible to determine how long I have been infected?

I recently tested positive for hiv. The only other time I tested was thirteen years ago, and it was of course negative. My cd4 count is 174 and my viral load is 497,000. ...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello and thanks for posting.Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.No, it's not possible to accurately tell when one was infected (other than to have periodic HIV testing). Your CD4 count and viral load are consistent with being infected... Read more »

can you determine how lony you'v e been infected with HIV? (newly HIV+ and freaking out!)

I've been married for almost 3 years when all the sudden, I need to see my gyno for discharge issue. He tells me it'a an STD and i need to talk to my husband about hi fidelity. Then Doc asks if I want the full STD screen with HIV. I agree....

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Darlene,It's time for a heart-to-heart talk with your hubby. If you've been married for three years, been completely faithful and now have several STDs, there really is only one obvious explanation. Are there ways to determine how... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

what kinds of blood testing can determine HIV?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

What kinds of blood testing can determine HIV? i had a blood test rescently but i dont know what it is for yet. Im not sure if i have hiv or not and im just wondering if the blood test i had can determine if i have HIV eventhough i didnt get a... Read more »

22 POSITVE AND DETERMINED TO STAY POSITIVE!!

Posted by Ngonyama, 3 Replies

Hi guys, im 22years old..i live in South Africa and was jst diagnosed in April 2011..after i was diagnosed, i was confused and didnt know what to think or where to look..i consulted a doctor and he put things into perspective fore me. Iv got a... Read more »

Long-term HIV and Aids survivors' health worrying

Posted by ScotCharles

From KaiserNet

January 8, 2008

Some experts and doctors recently have voiced concerns that people who were diagnosed with HIV and Aids in the early years of the epidemic are experiencing "premature[e]" or "disproportionate numbers" of ailments... Read more »

Long enough time to test?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Many people who are worried about HIV exposure may not know the exact date they put themselves at risk. Luckily, I do know my potential exposure date (July 15). Knowing the window period is 6 months according to the CDC, if I test this week, how... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>