What Happens If You Have No More Cd4 Cells

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CD4 (T-Cell) Tests

What Are CD4 Cells? CD4 cells are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell). They are an important part of the immune system. CD4 cells are sometimes called T-cells. There are two main types of CD4 cells. T-4 cells , also called CD4+, are "helper" cells. They lead the attack against infections. T-8 cells (CD8+) are "suppressor" cells that end the immune response. CD8 cells can also be "killer" cells that kill cancer cells and cells infected...

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Why CD4 goes down while CD4% goes up (ABSOLUTE CD4 COUNT VERSUS CD4%, 2009)

Hi Dr. Bob, it is a real pleasure to read your answers full of help, professionalism, generosity and fun. I started therapy at an absolute CD4 of 405 and 26% and VL above 100k, I started Atripla six months ago after the first three months my CD4...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,When it comes to monitoring HIV disease, it's important to look for long-term trends rather than worry about transient swings, especially in absolute CD4 counts. Absolute CD4 counts are calculated from the absolute lymphocyte counts. The... Read more »

CD4 Count V. CD4% Count (ABSOLUTE CD4 COUNT VERSUS CD4%, 2010) (WHEN TO START TREATMENT, 2010)

Hi,I was diagnosed with HIV around 15 months ago. Since then my health has been good (especially in the last six months) but my CD4 count has fallen a bit rapidly from 470 to 371 to 324 over this time period. However, my CD4 percentage count has...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,You are correct: The CD4% is generally considered the more accurate indicator of immune integrity, as it doesn't tend to fluctuate as much due to intercurrent illnesses and other non-HIV-related factors. (See below.)Regarding beginning... Read more »

What happens when CD4 hits 0

My CD4 count has been hanging around the 50-65 mark for the last couple of years, I have hit a CD4 count of 8. What happens when you hit 0? ...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

You still have CD4 cells in your body and circulating around even though the result says zero. That just means there are too few to count in the blood test. However, it also means that a person is at significant risk of developing opportunistic... Read more »

CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio

Dear Mark, I have been recently diagnosed HIV+ (June 02) and have some questions regarding both the CD4/CD8 ratio and CD4 which do not seem to be spoken about as much as the CD4 absolute.My first question is what exactly are CD8 cells? What happens...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Lots of great questions. CD8 cells are the major defense in your immune system against HIV. For the most part they are cytotoxic t cells, meaning they kill HIV infected CD4 cells. They don't usually get infected with HIV. They do increase... Read more »

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Connect With Others

To Jackie Blue - Re CD4 depletion

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Dear Jackie - thanks for replying to my post. I wanted to respond so I could answer some of your questions.

Firstly - how do I know it is not cancer - I don't - all i know is that exactly 20 days after an unprotected sexual exposure I came down with... Read more »

Increase your CD4 count

Posted by prana, 2 Replies

Breathing will help increase your CD4 count. The body needs extra oxygen in the blood to fight disease. To help the body do the breathing exercises.Keep a note of your CD4 count each time you do a test. Also the body will generally feel better. You... Read more »

CD4 count at 8--gained weight

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Oh my I just got cd4 count at 8--down from a whopping 35 last year--freaked out my ID Doc who didn't even look at cd8 or resistance or any of that because if you're at 8 it isn't too great!

He decided to Difllucan me again on a permanent basis. He... Read more »

MAC. & low cd-4

Posted by danni, 3 Replies

i am terrified, i just learned that i have mac. my viral load is 87,000, my cd-4; only 14. my doc. did start meds for me, but i can't get past the fear that it's too late. with my blood counts, is mac, a sure death sentence? i appreciate any... Read more »

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