Do I have AIDS?

[dazeel]

Hello all, I recently tested positive for HIV, it wasn't too much of a shock since my partner of 11 is also hiv positive, I had accepted the fact that he might pass it onto me by accident and well he did. my last test was 8 months ago and that was neg, I test normally every 6 months and well I had my test a couple of months ago and it was negative however I didn't feel well, so I had the test done again a couple of weeks ago and today I found out I was hiv positive, however my doctor said my CD4 count was 110, now being with someone with HIV already I know that under 200 is diagnosis for AIDS.... I never did have the best immune system already. from my under standing this could be no more than 6 months ago I got infected (I remember the night in question)....

Does this mean I have AIDS? if so, has it happened to others who are newly diagnosed? Or could I just have a dodgy set of results? I'm currently on holiday for easter so I can't see my doctor and I'd rather not discuss this further over the phone. What do you guys think?

[AusShep]

Well, yes, "officially" a CD4 less than 200 with HIV is an AIDS diagnosis, which doesn't go away after your CD4 recovers.  But it's just a label that doesn't mean too much right now, other than you're susiptible to opportunistic infections.

You should be getting a genotype test and getting on HIV and opportunistic infection meds after you're back from holiday.

Is your partner on treatment?

[Theyer]

I think that once you start working with your ID Doctor then you will get the clearest answers. Whatever your numbers are its always inportant to ask the ? how do I feel
now.

all the best
michael

[mecch]

Well, yes, "officially" a CD4 less than 200 with HIV is an AIDS diagnosis, which doesn't go away after your CD4 recovers.  But it's just a label that doesn't mean too much right now, other than you're susiptible to opportunistic infections.

NO, sorry, it is NOT an AIDS diagnosis. One needs an opportunistic infection PLUS the low CD4 count.  I highly doubt any doctor in 2014 is going to give a person infected in the last 8 months an "AIDS diagnosis" based on a low CD4 count but no other complications....
Dazeel, unless a doctor decides to give you that specific diagnosis, no, you do not have "AIDS". 

[AusShep]

NO, sorry, it is NOT an AIDS diagnosis. One needs an opportunistic infection PLUS the low CD4 count.  I highly doubt any doctor in 2014 is going to give a person infected in the last 8 months an "AIDS diagnosis" based on a low CD4 count but no other complications....
Dazeel, unless a doctor decides to give you that specific diagnosis, no, you do not have "AIDS".

No, as of 2012 it is, along with Cd4% < 14


Use of opportunistic illnesses (OIs) as criteria for Stage 3: Criteria for Stage 3 among adults and
adolescents should no longer include opportunistic illnesses, because CD4 test results are adequate for this purpose. OIs should remain as criteria for Stage 3 among children, but lymphoid interstitial pneumonia should no longer be one of them, and whatever method was used to make the OI diagnosis should be accepted as sufficient (eliminating requirement that some OIs be “definitively” diagnosed). These changes should be applied only to cases reported after implementation, not retroactively to previously reported cases

[mecch]

Ok thanks for the clarification.
As for the OP, Dazeel, I think you should discuss this label with your doctor because I don't think we get to self-diagnos ourselves with AIDS, a doctor has to sign off on that.
You've only been HIV positive a few months, get yourself on treatment soon and I'm betting you will never have to worry about an AIDS diagnosis.
Unless, of course, that diagnosis is something you need for some reason. 
Wishing you the best.

[AusShep]

Yes Dazeel, wishing you the best too.  Get with your doctor and on meds when you get back.

Don't let our little technicalities distract you, that's why I put "officially" in quotes before, but said it doesn't really mean much.

[buginme2]

Why does it matter?

When I log onto my medical record online from the medical center I go to listed under medical conditions in big capital letters it says AIDS and I've never had a cd4 count below 200, never had an oi, and my percentage has always been over 35%. 

Nowadays it's just semantics.

Good question though, wasn't your partner on treatment?  Would be highly unusual for him to transmit to you if he was, like medical journal unlikely.

[AusShep]

I apologize Dazeel for another technical clarification, but it is to your advantage, and was just published 2 weeks ago as an update to the 2012 changes.  You don't have AIDS after all.  I didn't want my incorrect info to stand, or give you any additional concern over AIDS vs. HIV...

They have added a new Stage 0 that was created for cases just like yours where a negative HIV result was obtained within the previous 6 months and your low CD4 count is a blip.

"The definition of stage 0 also will reduce confusion between acute HIV infection (part of stage 0), when CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts can be transiently depressed, and stage 3 (AIDS), an advanced stage of HIV infection when CD4+ T-lymphocyte values are usually persistently depressed"

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6303.pdf

[zach]

in my US state, a diagnosis of AIDS, distinct from HIV, qualifies you for some social services that would otherwise be closed to you with only an HIV diagnosis