POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: pinkadam on August 21, 2007, 09:37:25 am

Title: What is the role of T cell and Viral load
Post by: pinkadam on August 21, 2007, 09:37:25 am

When Some one is HIV+ve  what is the importance of T cell and Viral load. Which is more important High T cell or undetectable Viral load.

I know ideally people love to have High T cell and Undetectable Viral load.

What would happen if

1. A person has undetectable Viral load and Low Tcell

2. A person High Viral load and high T cells

Pink

Title: Re: What is the role of T cell and Viral load
Post by: Ann on August 21, 2007, 10:14:59 am

Pink,

The answers to your questions partly depend on if a person is on antiretrovirals or not.

If a person is on treatment, an undetectable viral load is THE most important thing. However, if a person is NOT on treatment, then the CD4 count is more important than the viral load.

For example, over the past few years, I've had a very low viral load. (I'm not on treatment). My CD4s have been good, above 400. BUT, if my CD4s were to drop into the lower 300s/upper 200s and stay there for a more than a couple lab results, then it would be time for me to consider treatment, regardless of my viral load results.

If a person who is on treatment had a persistently detectable viral load, it would be time for a change of meds, regardless of their CD4 count.

Have a look at the Lessons (link in upper left-hand corner of any forum page) and look through some of the lab lessons as well as the "when to treat" lessons and you'll learn more about it.

Ann