Teak

1. Are Long Time Non Progresor ( LTNP ) are those type of patient which are asymptomatic types?
2. What are those pateint called the Great controlers?

I just want to knows

Thanks in advance for your response

Joe :)

[Teak]

1. Yes - LTNP were initially defined as HIV infected > 10 years with CD4 counts persistently > 500 cells/mm3 in the absence of antiretroviral therapy.

2. Do you mean "Elite" Controllers --Elite controllers are people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) whose bodies have kept the microbe at undetectable levels in their bloodstreams without treatment.so-called `elite controllers`, people who have been living with diagnosed HIV infection for at least a year and who have had a viral load below 50 copies/ml throughout that period without any treatment.


viral controllers: people who have been living with diagnosed HIV infection for at least a year and who have had a viral load below 2000 copies/ml throughout that period without treatment.

[joecool21]

i undertand teak that you were a LTNP If you started meds early, would you have prenvented your cd4 to crash last 2005

[Teak]

I doubt they would have started me any earlier due to the toxicity of the drugs and my CD4s high and VL low to undetectable. There are new studies out now recommending doctors not to wait for the CD4s to drop below 300. There thinking is that it would be less strain on your system if started early and the ability to keep your CD4s up in the normal range which helps your own immune system fight the disease.

[joecool21]

is there a possibility for a newly diagnosed HIV patient reach the age of 60, 70 or 80 if he starts meds early

[Teak]

Sure, but it all has to do with the quality of life, not the quantity.