When to Start Treatment, HIV, AIDS

When to Start Treatment, Interactivity, HIV, AIDS

• Many factors must be considered before initiating drug therapy for HIV infected individuals.
• CD4 positive T cell counts of less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter of plasma or other symptoms of AIDS should be treated.
• Effectiveness of drugs must be balanced with adverse side effects and toxicity.
• Individual must be ready to comply
• Poor compliance increases risk of resistance and failure.
• Antiretroviral treatment should be offered to asymptomatic individuals who have CD4 counts less than or equal to 350 cells/mm³ or plasma levels greater than 55,000 copies/mL.

Recommendation to treat asymtomatic patients should be based on:

• Willingness and readiness of the person to begin therapy.
• Degree of existing immunodeficiency as determined by the CD4⁺ cell count.
• Risk for disease progression as determined by the CD4⁺ T cell count and level of plasma HIV RNA.
• Potential benefits and risks of initiating therapy in an asymptomatic person.
• Likelihood of adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen.

• Have you been diagnosed with AIDS or advanced HIV disease (severe symptoms)?
• Do you have a CD4⁺ T cell count3 with no symptoms?
• Do you have a CD4⁺ T cell count >200 cells/mm³ but3 with no symptoms?
• Do you have a CD4⁺ cell count >350 cells/mm³ with no symptoms and a viral load
• Do you have a CD4⁺ cell count >350 cells/mm³ with no symptoms and a viral load >55,000 copies/mL?