Being HIV-positive can throw your entire world upside down, changing life as you know it. While many things change, with the right medicine and a healthy outlook, you can live a full life. Part of managing your health is to keep track of your body’s defense system – your CD4 Cell count.
What are CD4 cells?
Think of your body as a castle, the germs that try to invade your body as the enemy, and your white blood cells as your body’s army. The CD4 cells fight and destroy the enemy germs and keep your body healthy. When you’re infected with HIV, the HIV virus attacks your CD4 cells!
Why are CD4 cells important to HIV + people?
As time passes, the virus gets stronger and damages your defence system. When there aren’t many of your defense cells left, your body can’t fight other infections, leaving you open to certain illnesses. So, your doctor will perform tests to see how many CD4 cells are in your body. If the count is high enough, that’s a good sign. If it’s low, the doctors will give you medication to help increase your CD4 count.
How low is low?
In healthy people, HIV+ or not, the CD4 cell count should be between 500 and 1200. It’s important for HIV+ people to keep their count as close to 500 as possible. If it goes under that amount, it’s vital that you go for regular check-ups with your doctor. You might be given ARVs from that point on.
Current health guidelines show that doctors may only start ARV treatment once the count is under 350. Should your doctor give you medicine, it’s important to stick to the schedule. Not sticking to the schedule will affect your cell count. If your count drops below 200, it’s a sign that your infection is getting worse. You will have to remain in close contact with your doctor regarding your treatment, otherwise your HIV will eventually progress into Aids.
What should I do to keep my CD4 count up?
Now you know why it’s important to keep your count well above 200! To keep it up, you need to:
- eat a healthy diet – it doesn’t have to be expensive, just include protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid too much junk food and don’t skip meals
- exercise regularly
- have a good support structure for when you’re feeling down
- get regular check-ups with your doctor!
- keep taking your ARVs once your doctor prescribes them.
Things to remember
Regular check-ups with your doctor or clinic are truly important as they need to monitor your cell count and adjust your treatment if needed. The latest guidelines show that HIV+ people should have their cell count tested every 3-6 months.
Most importantly, finding out you have HIV shouldn’t bring you down. The news may be devastating at first, but know that with modern medicine you can live a healthy life. Our doctors are also just a message away. Subscribe to our Hello Doctor service if you need some advice, or even another person to talk to.