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Is It Necessary To Take ART For HIV Infection?

Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016

Question: i am hiv+ since 2003 and i am not on medications and i show no signs of hiv+ but my doctor just brought up an idea that i should start medications ,mu viral load is less than 50 and my cd4 is 890,i donot want to take any medication because i am still healthy,so what should i do
thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained in detail

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

Your concern is appreciated

Untill recently doctors were not sure of the time as when to start ART(anti retroviral therapy) but alot of studies shows that there is great health benefit in starting Hiv treatment as soon as possible with higher CD counts and it also decreases the chances of transmitting it to your partners.
The sooner you get it the sooner you benefit from it
You cant wait to develop the diseases signs and symptoms and then be ready for treatment
Guidelines in UK and any where else in world now suggest that evryone should take treatment regardless if CD count
If you are having hiv over 6 months and there are no symptoms then the UK guidlines are to start treatment when CD count is around 350. You can start earlier if you want to reduce the chances passing it on to your partne.
If you have heart or kidney disease then start it on 500 cd count.
The department of health and human services guidelines on the use of hiv XXXXXXX in adults suggest to start as soon as possible.
ART is life long therapy and this will require regular doctor visit and test and checkups. So this should be kept in mind that adherence to treatment is very necessary.

So you can discuss these with you doctor and decide what you and your doctor think is best for you

Hope it helps

wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

i am taking lemon juice and olive oil ,carrots juice and also taking more of vegetables and fruits ,how useful are these to me

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

There is no harm in taking them.

However they have no proven role in countering HIV.

thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (12 hours later)

my patner wants to have a child with me and she doesnot know i am hiv+,what should i do about this
thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Inform your partner

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

You should inform your partner, in a proper manner, before considering the possibility of sexual relations or a child.

thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar