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Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
New Diagnosis
Sep 24, 2008
I have been recently diagnosed at HIV+ My last test was 3 years ago and I tested negative. My viral load is 470 and my CD4 is 293. my doctor said that I am "golden" as far as mynumbers are concerned. He has choosen to wait on any medication, with the exception of a pneumonia vaccine. I am wondering, Am I as "golden" as golden gets with HIV and should I insist on medication. Also what is the danger of reinfection. I hear alot about positive men having unsafer sex, whats the downside to practicing unsafe now?
Response from Dr. Young
Thanks for your post.
I'm not sure how one defines "golden", but you do have a low HIV viral load; on the other hand, your CD4 count is below the current thresholds to recommend starting HIV medications. In this regard, I very strongly disagree with your doctor.
As you can read on these pages, we recommend starting HIV medications when CD4 counts are reproducibly below 350- with a CD4 of less than 300, if confirmed by repeat tests, I'd recommend medications for you.
I'd agree that getting a Pneumococcal ("Pneumonia) vaccination is a good idea (as it is for all HIV+ persons).
Safer habits is a very good idea, not just because you prevent transmission of HIV to others but also to reduce the risk that you might acquire someone's less golden infections- including drug resistant HIV, syphilis or hepatitis.
Best of health to you,
BY
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