Just tested poz and my CD4 only 20

[cvposguy]

Well . . . it's been a couple of days since I got the confirmation of my poz status.  But what is more disturbing was my low CD4 at 20 (viral load about 2500).  Even though I have been testing negative for many years (I've probably had about 12 negative test results over the last 7 -10 years), the doc says that the virus could have been in my system before I was testing regularly because of the very low CD4 and relatively low viral load and that the false negative could be due to the low CD4 count by the time I started testing.  The only symptoms (and my clue something was wrong) was about 6 weeks ago I had what I thought was a back case of the flu (including thrush, swollen lypmph nodes).  One local doc picked it up as potential HIV and suggested I get tested again even though I had just tested negative a couple months ago.

Is it possible to have the virus for many years and repeatedly test negative?  I don't know alot but from what I can read I know a CD4 count of 20 is not good and I have AIDS.

They haven't started my on the meds yet (expect preventitive meds for infection, etc) until they get my genetic test back this week to determine my drug resistance.  I'm hopeful but very worried that the disease may have been allowed to damage my body all these years without being detected (I thought I was doing the right thing and getting tested frequently).  I'm trying to remain hopeful but . . .

[Miss Philicia]

Is it possible to have the virus for many years and repeatedly test negative?  

Once maybe, but not repeatedly from what I know.  I find your doctor's theory odd.  CD4 counts can plummet quite low if the infection is new, but I think when that happens the viral load is sky high and not what yours is.

We'll see what others answer about this question.

[HereIAm]

Greetings and welcome to the forum,

You have found a good place.  Our stories are similar.  You can read my early posts to get the idea.  I suspect you may not get an answer that completely satisfies you as to why you have had successive negative tests and then turn out positive.  But, I am certain that you can get your cd4 count up once you take HAART and get your VL down.

Let us know how you are doing.  Also, you can write to me on here privately once you have posted enough to be able to send private messages.

Take care of yourself.

Regards,

[Ann]

cv, welcome to the forums.

No, you would not have had all those negative results if you weren't negative at the time. While sometimes people get false positve results, false negative results don't happen (as long as the person is testing at the end of the three month window period) and certainly not that many times.

There are two possibilities here, one is that your CD4 count is very low simply due to primary infection. It happens. We don't know what your CD4 counts were like before you were infected and they could have been normally on the low side, giving you less leeway once you were infected. While one would expect to see a higher viral load, it could be that your body has only recently got the virus under some control (hence the lower VL), but your CD4s have yet to catch up. Another very possible reason could be lab error. It also happens.

If I were you, I'd make sure I got another CD4 result before jumping into the meds.

Hang in there.

Ann

[mecch]

the doc says that the virus could have been in my system before I was testing regularly because of the very low CD4 and relatively low viral load and that the false negative could be due to the low CD4 count by the time I started testing. 

Either you have misunderstood your doctor, or he has a really unusual medical insight not shared by science, or he is a kook.  Maybe you should clarify this....

[decayingsinner]

As always, Ann hits it right on.   My cd4 levels were lower than usual when I had my first test done and they have been rising slowly, but steadily.  My doctor also believes that I have always had a "lower" cd4 level way before becoming infected. I would see what your next test levels are at and that should really be the decider on whether or not you begin meds or not. I wish you the best.

Joe

[Lakis]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you are going to find all( or many) answers here. And NO , you were tested beg and you were beg. Is not possible  way to get false negative result  over last 10 years. .. Your doctor is wrong.
Take care
Lakis

[Lakis]

Sorry, my ipod went crazy.
It is Neg and no Beg... Sorry

[webontheweb]

Don't freak buddy, my husband had a count of 10 when he started meds and was diagnosed.  he is now approching a CD4 of almost 500!
Hang in there buddy!

[Dale Parker]

Hi CVPOZGUY:  My counts were about the same as yours when I tested positive at the end of March this year.  My CD4 was 21, CD4/CD8 ratio was 0 and Viral Load was over 500,000.  The doctor put me on Kaletra and Truvada as well as a few preventitive meds. After 2 months on the meds my CD4 went up to 158, CD4/CD8 ratio 0.5 and my viral load went down to 750.  I think these numbers ae pretty good and have eased my mind quite a bit.
       I found that there are not a lot of people with CD4 counts as low as our but, on this site I found a few and their support has been greatly appreciated. Keep taking the meds as perscribed to get your counts up and keep reading on this site.  The support on here is amazing. The knowledge that longer term members share will give you a lot of good information on what to expect and a great deal of guideance on how to handle situations that come up.  I have found it invaluable the last few months.
Best of luck
Dale