When to Begin HIV/AIDS Treatment

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From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums

I've heard that starting early when you don't need meds can be beneficial. I know this commitment shouldn't be taken lightly, and that there's a risk of becoming resistant. When should I start treatment?
My friend was recently diagnosed with HIV and told to start medication once his CD4 count falls below 200. Is that too late?
My CD4 count was 565 but after 10 months, it dropped very quickly to 388. My doctor thinks this drop is rather unusual and wants me to start HIV meds soon. Does this large CD4 drop mean that I should start medication?

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READ FIRST:

Strategies for HIV Therapy (April 2008)
To read PDF, click here
From Project Inform
HIV Medications: When to Start and What to Take (November 2006)
The Body's easy-to-read online guide to HIV treatment.
To read PDF, click here
In HIV Medications: When to Start and What to Take -- A Roadmap to Success, from The Body

FAQs About When to Start Medication From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums (Regularly Updated)
From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums
Starting Anti-HIV Medications (December 2008)
Part of HIV and Its Treatment: What You Should Know -- Health Information for Patients.
To read PDF, click here
From AIDSinfo
When to Start: A Debate (Summer 2009)
To read PDF, click here
In Achieve, from ACRIA and GMHC
Growing Evidence Supports Early Treatment (June 24, 2008)
From Project Inform
Voices Grow Louder in Support of Earlier HAART Initiation (January 12, 2007)
From aidsmap.com
Under Starter's Orders (March 2006)
Should everyone start HIV therapy when their CD4 count drops below 250? Or is it different strokes for different folks?.
From Positive Nation
Starting Treatment, Staying on Therapy (January/February 2005)
Ross Slotten, M.D., reviews the evolution of the "when to start" debate in HIV treatment.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Starting Anti-HIV Therapy (January 2004)
To read PDF, click here
In Project Inform Perspective, from Project Inform
Positive Voices: Words of Experience From Positive Women (December 2001)
Interviews with two HIV-positive women who debated when to start therapy.
To read PDF, click here
In WISE Words, from Project Inform

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