the highest and the lowest cd4 count and viral load

[pinkette]

im 6months pregnant and im hiv positive waitin 4 my results 4 the cd4 count and the viral load. im blank about the figures on when is low or high or when is the risk my gynaecologist didnt even give me counselling just told me results and made me take other blood test for the cd4 count didnt even explain anything or mention anything about the viral load i learned this from your questions and answers please help im sure i got the virus in october 2009 and got intimate with the same patner about 6times probably and the last time was in december unprotected sex. what are the risks?

[pinkette]

fortunately i went to a gp before it was to late he gave me arvs at 33weeks which i was suppose 2 hav started with them at 28weeks but got the syrup 4 the baby and thank God she tested negative and she is 10weeks now.

[dclark72]

I FOUND OUT I WAS HIV POSITIVE WHEN I WA PREGNANT WITH MY SON 13 YEARS AGO AND THEY ONLY PUT ME ON AZT SO THAT MY BABY WOULDN'T GET IT AND WHEN I WAS IN LABOR THEY HAD AN IV PUT IN ME WITH THE SAME MEDICINE SO THAT HE WOULDN'T GET IT. YOUR DOCTOR SOUNDS LIKE A JERK BUT YOU MUST DEMAND THAT THIS HAPPEN FOR YOUR BABY'S PROTECTION MY SON WAS BORN NEGATIVE AND STILL IS. MY NUMBERS AT THAT TIME WERE VIRAL LOAD  1000 AND CD4 520 SO MENTION THE AZT THERAPY DURING YOUR PREGNANCY AND DURING GIVING BIRTH. IT WILL PROTECT YOUR BABY FROM GETTING IT.

[pinkette]

i asked at the pathologist where i submitted my blood that when wil my results come back they said in 5days but my dr had scheduled my appointment 4 after 4weeks. Then i waited till then.

[pinkette]

i found out in march during my pregnancy got my cd4 count results already which was 974 and viral load 374 not precise though and just found out that the guy knew he was positive since 2006 so if the result would be wrong it would be a serious miracle. What is a positive western blot?

[LIZZIE LOU]

just wondering when you were diagnosed...cant really tell by your post.  did you test positive BEFORE your pregnancy?  are you saying october because that is when you had unprotected sex and got pregnant? and lastly...have you had a positive western blot?

i'm asking this because some women will test positive during pregnancy...when in fact, they do NOT have hiv.

[Teak]

CD4s 500-1500 upwards is normal. VL less than 40 is undetectable. That is the number your ID doctor is shooting for.

[aluta07]

You gynae sounds like a real schnauzer!! Hang in there - with this condition information is power!1

As far as i know - there is no real measure as to what is a high and a low viral load. You can be really healthy and have a high load - and vice versa. a viral load of around 50 means that the HIV is undetectable - its there but your body is able to keep it in CHECK :)

anything above 500 is normal for a CD4 count - meaning you are healthy. 350 - 500 means your immune system is compromised. Just remember that there is a genetic predisposition though - you know those really sickly kids you knew when you were young - those people would typcally always be around the 500 mark.

Dependent on your gvts HIV policies you would be advised to go on treatment when you are below 350. In South Africa, pvt health care says that you go on ARV's when you reach 350 but GVT hospitals put you on treatment when you reach 200 :(

The risks are there (can not lie), suggest that he get tested - the sooner one knows the better you can manage it!! LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL BABY!! GOOD LUCK