Can A Cd4 Count Make An Undetectable Person More Likely To Spread HIV? | myHIVteam

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Can A Cd4 Count Make An Undetectable Person More Likely To Spread HIV?
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭

I was recently at an HIV forum. During the discussion group, I was talking to a lady who told me she's undetectable but she's lucky to get her cd4 count above 300. Mine runs about 2000 and was up to 2804.

I'm wondering if my cd-4 count was that low if I would he a greater chance of infecting someone even though my viral load is undetectable.

I know that I would be at higher risk of getting sick if it was low but what about transmission?

Does the lower cd-4 number make that person… read more

posted January 26, 2018
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A myHIVteam Member

My humble opinion on this matter is we should not let our guard down. I am also undetectable. If i have sex the rule still applies. Wear protection. Think about it if you were negative wouldn't you wear a condom. Better be safe than sorry later..

posted January 26, 2018
A myHIVteam Member

Your cd4 count is the number of white blood cells you have. Your white blood cells are you imune systems defense mechanism which fights off diseases. A low cd4 count increases your chances of obtaining infections from viruses and bacteria. Yoyr viral load is tge number of dectable viral cells. To sum it up. Undetectable lowers yor chances to pasdding the virus while a low cd4 coubt increases your risk of becoming ill ftom various other things.

posted January 30, 2018
A myHIVteam Member

CD4 and viral load are 2 different things.
CD4s are cells that help fight infections.
Viral load is how much virus you have.
Viral load kills your CD4s.
So to answer your question, CD4s do not give you a greater chance of infecting someone, your viral load does.
I have in the last few weeks decided to not use the word "undetectable" as my status. I am positive, viral load unknown. That should be the answer EVERYONE gives. Just because your last test came back undetectable, does not mean you are still undetectable RIGHT NOW. Since your last test, your medication could have quit working, you could have met up with somebody whos strain is resistant to your medication and you got reinfected, or your virus just mutated on it's own and now you are no longer undetectable but you just do not know it. U does not = U when you get a strain that is resistant to your medication.

posted January 26, 2018
A myHIVteam Member

This is the type of question I would only ask my Primary Care Dr.
To leave the answer up to just anyone is asking for it.

posted January 26, 2018
A myHIVteam Member

I asked and got no reply.

posted January 26, 2018

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