Very rapid disease progression

[globetrotter]

Hi,

I was diagnosed as HIV+ in August. Relying on my previous HIV test results, I was most likely infected in July 2005. It could not have been sooner.
Anyways, I started having labs done in October. My CD4 counts have fluctuated between 520 and 780. My viral load however has been charging ahead. It started off around 70k, then 100k +, now it's approaching a 1/4 of a million. Like I said, I've been infected less than 2 years.
Can anyone help me figure this out? What would you suggest in terms of treatment? I'm not currently taking any medication.

Thanks

[alberche]

Hiya Globe!

Well, seen as you are telling it I think your doctors should tell you something about starting treatment very soon.

Treatment guidelines recommend to start when you are about 350-250 CD4 and with viral loads over 30.000, and at any CD4 level if your VL is higher than 100.000 or if a rapid progression in increasing VL and decreasing CD4 is observed.

Maybe you are a fast progressor, but maybe also you were infected much more before than you think. In any case, that is not the most important now. The most important is talking to your doctor and evaluate the possibility of starting meds.

I got infected one year ago, and passed a very strong acute syndrome, with hard sympthoms: fever, nodes, rash, headaches, pain in joints, weakness, lost 30 pounds in 3 weeks... I got an early diagnosis and started meds very soon.

My doctor said to me that my infection showed some signs indicating I will be a fast progressor too. Fortunately, with meds, I am OK, viral load below 50 copies and always have been around 1.000 CD4.

I am used to the meds, and feel OK.

Regards :-)

[HIVworker]

That's not rapid disease progression as such. Your CD4 cells are still high. If you had less than 200 CD4 cells I would agree there was rapid disease progression. High viral loads are troubling and should be discussed with a doctor but as you have only been infected for a short time it isn't really right to make any comment about how rapid disease progression is. I would talk to your ID doctor about options and opinions but I think it is a little premature to say you are heading for AIDS in a few months (ie rapid progression).

Rich

[Peter6836]

Really this is not rapid at all. I tested negative in november of 2005 by november of 2006 my cd4 count was 106. Your doing good dont fret, start meds and keep a good attitude.

[newt]

Hello

The ups and downs of viral load here is not importat, for one the difference between 70k and 250k is half a log which is just bordering on significant, if it is indeed a rise, it may not be because viral load tests vary by x 3, it's perfectly possibly that your three sets of figs represent a stable infection.

Your CD4 count is good, very good, so don;t fret over the viral load, unless it continues to rise, like over 3 or 4 tests and your CD4 falls.

The instant numbers game, it's a trap, it's the trend that counts.

- matt