Question:

I found out about my HIV+ status 2 years back when I was 4 months pregnant, my CD4 count was found to be 600, I was healthy throughout my pregnancy and never had any complications until recently. I developed chicken pox, and recurrent UTI. I took another CD4 last week and my count was found to be 256. I also have dark sports and some kind of painless unirritable rash on my face and several other minor discomforts. I want to know the general condition of my health. Please advise on all necessary tests you think I should take at this stage. I NEED THIS INFO URGENTLY. Many thanks.

PS: My son tested negative to 2 different tests.

Answer provided by:

Trevor Hawkins, M. D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. Family Practice, University New Mexico
Medical Director, Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe, NM

I am assuming that you are not currently on treatment. The best time to start treatment is when the CD4 count has reached 350. You especially do not want it to fall below 200.

The dark spots might be Kaposi's Sarcoma and the rash could be many things, hard to say without looking at it.

Either way, you have the signs and symptoms of some HIV disease progression and your CD4 count reflects this.

I strongly advise you to seek expert medical care and to start antiretroviral therapy as soon as you can. With therapy, your prognosis is good.

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