Need some info

[lusopt]

I received yesterday my new results, my numbers were ok, my VL decreased a lot since the first time, i wasnt expecting this, but my CD4 decreased as well. I thought the VL would only get higher in numbers.

My question is, can my CD4 get higher again without meds? And how is this possible, to VL get so low comparing with the last time?

Hugs

[aztecan]

Hey Lusopt,

In a nutshell, it appears you are a relatively recent infection.

When you are first infected, the virus basically goes wild like a kid in a candy store. There body has not yet had time to build up any defenses against it and the virus is able to reproduce without interference.

During this period, it is not uncommon for viral loads to go quite high. After a while, the body fights back and the virus drops down to lower levels.

The CD4 levels during this time sometimes increase. Your body starts reproducing at the CD4s to begin fighting the virus. So, your CD4s could indeed go up without starting meds.

At some point, there will be a balance reached where your body will keep the virus in check for a time. This would be the viral load nadir. Generally speaking, the amount of virus in your body won't decrease significantly after this point until meds are started.

In some people, known as long term non-progressors, they reach this point and don't change. They basically keep the virus in check.

But, they are a small percentage of the population.

The rest of us, me included, reach a point when our CD4s start dropping and the viral load starts climbing.  When the CD4s reach a certain level, when people usually start meds.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Were I you, I would read the lessons here. They are a real help, especially when you are first starting down the path of life with HIV. Knowledge is power and we each need all the power we can get. 

HUGS,

Mark