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High Viral Load???
Hi there,
Is 55000 a high viral load? The ID doctor said that my Viral Load was 55000 but he did not have the cd4 count yet.
Is 55000 a high viral load? The ID doctor said that my Viral Load was 55000 but he did not have the cd4 count yet.
You're still OK. You're somewhat on the borderline but since you're only recently positive I suggest waiting a few months as it seems (and is expected) that your viral load is still on its way down and your CD4 is still strong enough. Wait 2 or so months for your re-tests and then take it from there as your body is still likely in "seroconversion" stage.
My only suggestion for you is to take it easy and try to avoid situations where you might pick up infections (the baths, gym, etc etc etc...) and keep it in your pants for now. ;)
If you're worried about MRSA - try using SBS-40 topical lotion from DEB as it has an antibiotic that is effective against MRSA (chloroxenol). You can find it online or from commerical supply companies. It is not available in the drug store but it is inexpensive.
My only suggestion for you is to take it easy and try to avoid situations where you might pick up infections (the baths, gym, etc etc etc...) and keep it in your pants for now. ;)
If you're worried about MRSA - try using SBS-40 topical lotion from DEB as it has an antibiotic that is effective against MRSA (chloroxenol). You can find it online or from commerical supply companies. It is not available in the drug store but it is inexpensive.
Hi there,
I tested positive on Dec 17/09 after a series of unexplainable illnesses:
In late September, I had severe flu-like symptoms, severe headaches, and a general feeling of malaise. I went to see my family doctor who sent me to the emergency ward at the local hospital where I was given an MRI, a CAT Scan and a full series of blood test which all came back negative. The attending doctor asked me if I would agree to take an HIV test because all my symptoms were indicative of HIV...I agreed.
A week later, I had very severe abdominal pain for which I spent 5 days in the hospital and was diagnosed with Diverticulitis. The day I was released from the hospital I developed boils and legions on my body. My family doctor sent me to go see a dermatologist who took some skin samples and swabs of all affected areas. The dermatologist referred me to an infectious disease doctor thinking that my symptoms were indicative of a tropical disease or some kind of infectious disease.
A few days later, my family doctor said that my HIV test which I had taken at the hospital had been lost and that she would like to give me another to rule out HIV...I agreed.
On Dec 17/09, I went and saw the infectious disease doctor who informed me that I had MRSA. He asked me a bunch of questions and then informed me that I also had Impetigo. He asked me yet more questions and then informed me that I tested positive for HIV. He said that this is the second time I tested positive so the results were conclusive. Why he waited to tell me about the HIV is beyond me. Also, there was no compassion and no sympathy what so ever on his behalf. I got the very distinct impression that he was homophobic and had the attitude that "this serves you right for being gay!". He offered no support and just basically asked me to go to the lad in the building and have some more blood work done. I went and did the blood work as requested.
On Jan 11/10, I went to see an HIV doctor and was advised that I did indeed have MRSA and Impetigo as well as HIV. He said that my Viral Load as of Dec 17/09 was 55652 but for some reason, the CD4 tests were not done or they were lost. He took some more blood work and spent over two hours with me answering my questions and alleviating my fears. A week later, I got my test results back. My CD4 is 369, my CD4 % is 24% and my Viral Load is 30000. He said that these test results were very "good" and that a treatment regimen is not required at this point.
At this point, this is all I know. I have another appointment on Feb 08/10 at which point, he will discuss in detail my test results and any treatment regimens that he thinks may be required but he is still confident that for now, I do not require treatment.
I don't know what to make of this...I do not know too much about HIV other that what I've been reading. Most people I ask say that I should demand a treatment regimen on go on meds as soon as possible but a few say that I should allow my own immune system to do as much work as it can to ward off the virus. I'm sooo confused!!!
I tested positive on Dec 17/09 after a series of unexplainable illnesses:
In late September, I had severe flu-like symptoms, severe headaches, and a general feeling of malaise. I went to see my family doctor who sent me to the emergency ward at the local hospital where I was given an MRI, a CAT Scan and a full series of blood test which all came back negative. The attending doctor asked me if I would agree to take an HIV test because all my symptoms were indicative of HIV...I agreed.
A week later, I had very severe abdominal pain for which I spent 5 days in the hospital and was diagnosed with Diverticulitis. The day I was released from the hospital I developed boils and legions on my body. My family doctor sent me to go see a dermatologist who took some skin samples and swabs of all affected areas. The dermatologist referred me to an infectious disease doctor thinking that my symptoms were indicative of a tropical disease or some kind of infectious disease.
A few days later, my family doctor said that my HIV test which I had taken at the hospital had been lost and that she would like to give me another to rule out HIV...I agreed.
On Dec 17/09, I went and saw the infectious disease doctor who informed me that I had MRSA. He asked me a bunch of questions and then informed me that I also had Impetigo. He asked me yet more questions and then informed me that I tested positive for HIV. He said that this is the second time I tested positive so the results were conclusive. Why he waited to tell me about the HIV is beyond me. Also, there was no compassion and no sympathy what so ever on his behalf. I got the very distinct impression that he was homophobic and had the attitude that "this serves you right for being gay!". He offered no support and just basically asked me to go to the lad in the building and have some more blood work done. I went and did the blood work as requested.
On Jan 11/10, I went to see an HIV doctor and was advised that I did indeed have MRSA and Impetigo as well as HIV. He said that my Viral Load as of Dec 17/09 was 55652 but for some reason, the CD4 tests were not done or they were lost. He took some more blood work and spent over two hours with me answering my questions and alleviating my fears. A week later, I got my test results back. My CD4 is 369, my CD4 % is 24% and my Viral Load is 30000. He said that these test results were very "good" and that a treatment regimen is not required at this point.
At this point, this is all I know. I have another appointment on Feb 08/10 at which point, he will discuss in detail my test results and any treatment regimens that he thinks may be required but he is still confident that for now, I do not require treatment.
I don't know what to make of this...I do not know too much about HIV other that what I've been reading. Most people I ask say that I should demand a treatment regimen on go on meds as soon as possible but a few say that I should allow my own immune system to do as much work as it can to ward off the virus. I'm sooo confused!!!
This is a forum for individuals who are HIV positive or have AIDS to connect and support each other.
First how far along are you, if you dont mind? How did you find out about your positive status , through what first test?
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