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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
New Brunswick, NJ

I read an interesting article that came out today that those who tested positive with a beginning cd4 count under 350 at time of diagnosis died regardless of ARVs earlier then those who had above 350 at time of diagnosis. I know that the CDC recommends getting tested as soon as you think you had unsafe sex and start ARVs immediately. While this makes logical sense and luckily for me I ran to get tested as soon as I knew something wasn’t right. And my first cd4 count test at diagnosis was 460.so… read more

December 26, 2025
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Answer Summary

Members shared their personal stories about how long they waited to get tested for HIV and what their initial CD4 counts were at diagnosis,... Read more

Members shared their personal stories about how long they waited to get tested for HIV and what their initial CD4 counts were at diagnosis, with experiences ranging from catching it early to being diagnosed with very low counts after years of unknowing infection. Several members described remarkable long-term survival despite starting with single-digit CD4 counts, while others noted that early testing and immediate treatment helped them maintain stronger immune health over time. A recurring theme was that the virus behaves differently in everyone, and quality of life, treatment consistency, and a positive outlook all play important roles in living well with HIV.

A myHIVteam Member

I got very sick in 95 and tested positive. My CD4 count was 32 at that time. It was stopped to be a death sentence. Yet here I am today surviving very well.

December 27, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

I tested usually once or twice a month. But the year I became positive, I went 2 months without being tested. My first viral load was 147,151. My CD4 was 2800. I thought this part was great but then I found out I have leukemia. Wow that's almost 10 years ago. I'm actually healthier now than ever.

Happy qwanza.

December 27, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

the first one pill a day HIV drug came out in 2006, the second one in 2011, the thired one in 2012 and the 4th one in 2013

December 26, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

@A myHIVteam Member, when I got tested, the test were not all that accurate yet. Back then you took a HIV test. if it came back positive, then you had to take a second different test. if that came back negative I don't know what they did then, but if that too came back positive, then you had the virus. There were many false positives and false negatives with testing back then. It was all new advancements at the time, There was only like 10 different kind of HIV drugs back then when I got tested. My first drug cocktail consisted of 23 pills, some 4 times a day.

December 26, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

Didn’t get tested until I had a rash all over my legs in 1998 my CD 4 count was 3

December 26, 2025

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