How Long Should One Wait Before Starting HIV Meds

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Ask the Experts

How long can I wait to start HIV Meds?

I am a 45 year old male runner in good shape. I tested positive for HIV about 10 months ago. My initial viral load was around 3,000 and T-cell count at around 550. There was not much change on the second test 4 months later. The following test...

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

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your post.Most doctors wouldn't recommend starting medications with your current set of labs--indeed, if you were my patient and were not symptomatic, I wouldn't recommend starting until your counts approached 350. --so,... Read more »

How long should i wait (WHEN TO START TREATMENT)

I have a CD4 count of 485 and a VL of 45 000. How long will it be before i should consider meds? I... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

Why wait to start meds?

I have been positive for 10 yrs. At 3 yrs positive my viral load was 100,000 although my T4 was... Read more »

Response from David Wohl, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

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Connect With Others

Newly Positive & Waiting Before Going on Meds....?

Posted by Buzz1, 3 Replies

I was diagnosed as HIV positive just under three weeks ago. I must have been exposed within the last three months or so since I was seroconverting in mid-July to mid-August with the usual rash, fevers, fatigue, etc. In mid July I was still testing... Read more »

Should I Start Meds NOW or WAIT?

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

I just tested positive (and boy is this an emotional roller coaster). My CD4 count is 337 and my Viral Load is 55,000 copies. I am a flight attendant and am about to go into some rigourouse training for 7 weeks. My doctor told me we could hold off... Read more »

Wait or not to Wait - medications

Posted by jtpa, 4 Replies

I found out I was + in Feb 2012 and saw my ID doc for the first time last week. I went to the appointment all prepared ( so I thought). I ask about medications and when to start them? He said he wouldn't do anything with just one set of labs he... Read more »

Did I wait too long to test?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I was hoping someone could answer my question. I recently found out that my first girlfreind who told me she was a virgin actually cheated on me early in our relationship by having unprotected sex with another guy. We began dating 5 1/2 years ago... Read more »

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