CD4 count of 13

[bro40]

    I've seen other post with others saying they have had low CD4 counts.  My brother has been in ICU and we just found out he has a CD4 count of 13. He initially had walked in to the ER because his bronchitis turned into pneumonia. Now sedated and on a ventilator and dialysis.  We don't think he knew he was even HIV+. The doc's are saying he's on borrowed time.  He is responding to treatment slowly. Has anyone else dealt with a similar experience?  I don't want my brother to die.  He has to many people and family that love him. We really don't know much about treatment for HIV and were scared for him. Thanks for any experiences shared.

[md]

A CD4 count of 13 is certainly very low but, given appropriate treatment, people have come back from lower than that.

I assume that his doctors have already started him on HAART.

A lot depends on his overall condition and what else may be wrong with him - you mentioned that he is also on dialysis so it sounds as if there may be more problems that just the pneumonia.

You do. however, say that he is "responding to treatment slowly" - that is good news.

Provided that they can get him through the pneumonia and whatever other immediate problems he has then, given time and the right medications it is possible (although, of course, by no means certain) that your brother will get through this although it is going to take time and he isn't just going go get better overnight.


 

[Hellraiser]

Not too long ago, I was hospitalized and determined to be HIV+.  When I had a CD4 count my counts were 15.  Prior to the staph infection that hospitalized me I had not connected the dots that my fatigue and weight loss were connected to HIV.  I am doing fine at the moment and given time his immune system might be able to recover, but nothing is guaranteed.  The CD4 count I just told you about was 3 months ago and I've had no major complications since then.  I have been isolated except for my primary caretaker and am just now beginning to think about going back to work.

If he's in the hospital and on a respirator it is certainly dire, but I promise you the medical professionals are doing everything they can to kick start his immune system.  They will give him intraveinous antibiotics and regulate his HAART in order to begin combatting the virus.  All you can do now is wait and see.

I hope he gets better and please keep us updated.  My thoughts are with you.

-Trey

[GNYC09]

bro40, I am sorry to hear about your brother's situation.  I am, however, glad to hear that he is finally receiving the right treatment for his illness. There are quite a number of people that had CD4s around your brother's level if not lower and bounced back.  I'm not sure what "responding slowly" means because every person is different.  I know it took me ~2 months to bounce back from my bout with PCP.  Stay with him and continue to encourage him. Receiving that kind of encouragement was one of the best medicines I got during my time in the hospital.   I wish your brother and family the best.

[Stone]

His kidneys could be having trouble based on CT scan dye, antibiotics, and medications required for sedation (to keep him down).  The problem with some sedation medication is that sometimes we tank the blood pressure which means we have to add additional medication which also beats up on the kidneys sometimes.  In my experience, you are not out of the race unless he goes into liver failure or develops DIC.  My brothers partner found out he had Stage four cancer and HIV.  He lived 5 years after that diagnosis, worked 50 hours a week, remodeled a home, and took many trips.  You would never guess that he had been that sick, there is always hope

[hotpuppy]

Bro40,
  I'm sorry to hear about your brother's diagnosis.  Please keep us updated.

In the meanwhile, that is a low CD4 count, but it can be turned around.  Many many people with HIV find themselves at one point with a low CD4 count and an infection.  You may hear the term AIDS diagnosis as well.  AIDS is just a stage of HIV infection where the immune system has been beat up badly.  Many people can and do recover.

What your brother will need most is the support and love that you and your family can provide.  The fact that you came to this site and took the time to reach out and post shows that you can be there for him.  HIV infection is like playing a slow game of Chess.  Everything takes time.  Time to get better, time to get stronger. 

Judging from your description, your brother is in the right place.  Please keep us updated and let us know if we can help bring some sense to the situation for you.