How Does HIV Effect The Cells

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Understanding CD4 Cells and CD4 Cell Tests

The Basics CD4 Count and HIV CD4 Count and HIV Treatment CD4 Cell Test The Bottom Line The Basics Your immune system protects your body by fighting germs and infections.White blood cells are an important part of your immune system. HIV infects and destroys a type of white blood cell called aCD4 cell (sometimes called a T-cell). When the immune system loses too many CD4 cells, it becomes weak and isunable to fight off germs. At...

Ask the Experts

'flu vaccine: much on its effect on viral load, but nothing on transient effect on T cells

Greetings, Dr. Boyle,Can you please help me out with a few quick questions?a. I know that one should wait 4 to 6 weeks after having the 'flu vaccine to do a T cell subset, because it affects the viral load transiently - but my doctor did a T...

Response from Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.

Cornell University, Weill Medical College

Short answer: I doubt that the flu vaccine had much effect on your CD4 count. Regarding the viral load, as you note, it is best to wait a couple of weeks after giving the vaccine to check that test since it may transiently blip up after the vaccine.... Read more »

Low t-cell count, HIV negative?

My partner recently had a blood test revealing a very low t-cell count, but he tested HIV negative, how will/should this affect our sex life, and what other effects on him will this have?...

Response from Robert H. Remien, Ph.D.

Columbia University

People can have a low t-cell count for many reasons. I don't see why it should effect your sex life in any way. If you are HIV+ I hope you and your partner are having protected sex. Your partner needs to see a doctor to conduct a repeat... Read more »

HIV/AIDS B-cells

1. What will happen to the person if their B-cells are taken out of the immune system cascade, but the macrophage remains? In other words they no longer function as programmed?2. what will happen to the person if thier marcrophages are no longer...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

This forum is exclusively for the discussion of the side effects of HIV therapy.... Read more »

Eliminating HIV reservoirs might damage cells?

Dear Dr. Wohl:Once you said in this forum that the researcher (I cant remember his name) who did the study on valproic acid is working at your university.Imagine his theory worked and he could figure something to force the virus to leave the cells...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Dear John,I agree with your affection for your gray cells. As Woody Allen said, "My brain?! That is my second favorite organ."David Margolis is trying to use valproic acid to inhibit cellular processes that keep HIV latent (or inactive)... Read more »

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T Cells

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

I have consistantly tested negative on several tests over the past two years. However, I keep getting symptoms of hiv and my t cells are lurking around the 400 range. I have more test results comminmg back on feb 4th.

Is there anyone else out there... Read more »

hsv2 and low white blood cell count

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

Could having hsv2 delay hiv antibody results(keep coming up negative but positve)? And could a low white blood cell count 3.9 normal is 3.8- 10.5 be a sign of possible aids or hiv becoming aids even though negative on antibody test and negative on... Read more »

IL-2 Induces Sustained CD4 Cell Increases

Posted by Anonymous

IL-2 Induces Sustained CD4 Cell Increases in HIV-Infected Patients

By Deborah Mitchell

TORONTO, Sep 20 (Reuters Health) - The addition of recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) to an HIV antiretroviral therapy produces an increase in CD4+ T-cell counts,... Read more »

How Soon Should T-Cell Count Increase?

Posted by Anonymous, 6 Replies

I was infected in October 2003, diagnosed in December 2003, and went on Sustiva and Combivir December 30, 2003. My viral load went from an initial count of 125,000 down to 120, 2 weeks ago. Will probably be "undectable" soon. My question is, my CD4+... Read more »

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