Request help with regard to CD4 count.

[Guest guest]

Dear AIDS INDIA,

Please could somebody help me with the following questions?

1. Does CD4 count determine if someone has HIV/AIDS? If not, what does?

2. What is the typical CD4 count range of a person with HIV+? (i.e., 400 – 600)

3. How does a non HIV person's CD4 count contrast to a HIV+ person's CD4 count?

I am aware that anything under 200 is considered as AIDS.

please answer this.,

yours lovingly

Sam Thangiah MSW

E-MAIL: samthangiah@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Sam,

/message/11141

CD4 count is a monitoring tool for the progression of HIV and it alone cannot

diagnose HIV or AIDS.

Infection with hiv is diagnosed with other tests of antibody related to it or

the antigen. once infected the virus targets the CD4 cells and decreases it and

so it is used as a prognostic tool rather than a diagnostic one.

Normal CD4 count has wide normal range from 350 to 1100 and may be even more in

some individuals and in children and hence CD4 count alone could not be used.

HIV infected individual with cd4 more than 400 may develop opportunistic

infection easily than non infected with CD4 less than 400 because CD4 cells

which are infected are functionally also disabled.

If you are still not clear you may elaborate your question and re-send it

R.RAVIKUMAR

MEDICAL OFFICER, ART CENTRE

GOVT. DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,

NAMAKKAL DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

INDIA

MOBILE : 9791014390

e-mail: <ravikumar_rin@...>