About CD4 test and HIV?

One of my friend got infected with HIV 11 years back. Before her CD4 count was below 200 but now every month its improving. This month it was 250. and last month it was 214. Whats the advice? I'm worried about her. and whats the life expectancy after that...

Unfortunately, it's impossible to determine somebody's life expectancy by their CD4 count. Most people life more than 15 years with HIV now, and with new treatment coming down the pipeline every year, this may be extended more and more. The fact that her CD4 count is stable right now is a good sign, it means that her immune system is still reasonably strong (and with a CD4 count above 200, most people are not at risk of oportunistic infections, another bonus for her). Another thing to watch is her viral load, which you haven't told me about, but provided it is fully suppressed on therapy, there's a good chance she will not develop AIDS anytime soon.

The most important thing to remember is that A) It sounds like she's improving or stable - a good thing. B) If she's on treatment, making sure to keep apointment and remember pills will ensure that she controls the disease for a long time, easily 5 - 10 years and by then, ther will be new medications and C) To remember to take her prophylactic antibiotics if she is taking them (Sepra) until her counts have been stable for several months.

I know this doesn't fully answer your question, but HIV is a disease that is very difficult to predict and although I could give you hard numbers on life expectancy, these things change depending on many factors including what meds she's taking, how many med's she's been on, how resistant the virus is, how many times she's been very sick and if she has other diseases. In the end, a stable or rising CD4 count and low viral load are the best predictors of good outcome and survival.

All the best,

Your friend's CD4 count is low - mine is around the 700 mark.

Is your friend getting treatment? I have been HIV+ for nearly 5 years now and I went on meds because I was pregnant (daughter is negative). I then stayed on meds because it has done so much for my health.

When I was first diagnosed, my CD4 count was around the 300 mark and my viral load was up at 14,000. Now I'm undetectable and my CD4 is great.

Upon saying all this, your friend's lifestyle really has to do with her health also. Her immune system isn't the greatest so she needs to take care of herself. I quit smoking, drinking and doing drugs - some may say that I'm boring but my life is worth much more than someone's opinions.

Btw, her CD4 count will always fluctuate - she might have a cold and it will go down etc etc.

I wish her all the best and I think you're a great person to care about her and seek advice.

xo