The following table shows how you can monitor your symptoms, CD4 count, and viral
load to help decide whether it is time to start anti-HIV medications:
Symptoms
CD4 Count
Viral Load
Recommendation
AIDS-defining illness severe symptoms (such as unexplained fever or diarrhea for more than 2 to 4 weeks)
Any value
Any value
Start HIV drugs
No symptoms
Less than 200
Any value
Start HIV drugs
No symptoms
Higher than 200 but less than 350
Any value
Consider treatment but weigh the pros and cons
No symptoms
Higher than 350
Higher than 100,000
Most doctors will hold off on starting HIV drugs, but some will decide to treat