Key Tests to Monitor HIV
There are two key tests doctors use to monitor how HIV is
affecting you body. Even if you are not taking treatments it is
important to have these two blood tests done regularly.
The first is called the CD4 cell count and is a measure of how
strong your immune system is. When the immune system is strong the
CD4 count is higher. Your CD4 count can be used to help decide when
you need to start ant-HIV treatment, and as an indicator of how
successful these treatments are. Once your CD4 count nears 350,
your doctor should start talking to you about whether you need to
start taking anti-HIV treatments.
Once you start treatment your CD4 cell count should start to
slowly increase. If you experience a fall in your CD4 cell count
over a number of tests, this should alert your doctor that there is
something wrong with your HIV treatments.
The second is the viral load test. It is a measure of the number
of copies of HIV in a sample of blood. The lower it is the better.
The more HIV you have in your blood, the faster your CD4 cell count
will fall, and the greater your risk of developing symptoms of HIV
infection, or AIDS-defining illnesses.
If you are taking treatment, monitoring your viral load gives an
indication of how well your treatments are working.You will
probably be asked to have these tests done every few months. They
will help you and your doctor make decisions about your health.
Even if your CD4 cell count is above 500 you should go to your
clinic every three to six months for a CD4 cell count and viral
load test. Make sure you go back promptly for your results.
Details of other tests you can expect to have can be found at http://www.aidsmap.com/cms1043831.asp
Last updated April 2010