Above 350?

The cut off here in the Philippines for the issuance of free ARV’s is a CD4 count of 350 and below. That means if your count is higher than 350 then you don’t need to take the free ARV’s yet. Well that is the case only in the Philippines and I think in most developing countries.

In the first world countries, even if one’s CD4 count is higher that 350, the doctors would already prescribe ARV’s. Of course, the poz will pay for the high cost and usually their insurance will cover for them. The reason for this is that there is a greater probability that the CD4 count will drop below 350 in a matter of months or years so in other countries, why wait? Taking ARV’s as soon as possible especially when the CD4 count is still high will make it possible for a faster recovery of the immune system unlike if the CD4 count falls below 200, which make take years for the immune system to recover. However, since the medicines are so expensive, the hubs would only give free medicines once the CD4 falls below 350.

So what can you do to improve your immune system, that is, your CD4 count when it is above 350?

Well it is as simple as this: Stay Healthy!

Once you have HIV, your immune system will slowly get weaker and weaker without the ARV’s. You will be prone to all kinds of infections that affect non-HIV individuals. You will also be prone to opportunistic infections that non-HIV individuals don’t get. So what do you do? Then be proactive in protecting yourself.

Here are some tips:

1. Have regular doctor visits. Getting into care means choosing the right doctor. You should have an Infectious Disease doctor who would serve as your attending physician. He or she will dictate on the status of your health. He or she will decide who to consult with when you have infections. Be honest with your doctor especially when you fee something’s brewing in your body. It is better to report symptoms fast so your doctor can prevent it.

2. Get your vaccinations. Vaccines are given to stimulate the body's immune response in order to produce antibodies that will protect against certain illnesses. Ask your ID doctor on what vaccinations you need to take.

3. Eat right to Stay Healthy. While your doctor can help you stay healthy, you have to take some responsibility as well. The first step is eating right. Eat a balanced diet of meat and fibers. The only thing that is not allowed for people living with HIV/AIDS is raw food so make sure that everything is well cooked. Supplementation with vitamins can also help.    VCO and selenium, can be of help but Dr. Ditangco said that still, there are no proven facts to support them.

4. Learn All You Can Learn About HIV. Knowledge is power. Knowing your illness will help you take charge of your life instead of letting HIV control you. Read blogs of local people. If you need an HIV counsellor to answer all your questions, find one.

5. Sleep 8 hours a day. Don’t overwork. You are immunocompromised so you need to let your body rest.

6. Avoid alcohol, cigarette smoking and other vices. You need to stay healthy from now on.

7. Protection is still the key. If abstinence to sex is not possible, always wear protection when having intercourse. Don’t infect other people anymore. The virus has to stop with you. Unprotected sex might also complicate your situation as another strain of virus might be passed onto you.

8. Know your Own Body. Knowing your body allows you to keep tabs on your health. Learn to recognize problems before they get serious with this guide to signs, symptoms and solutions.

So be healthy. That is the only key to a successful recover of your immune system especially if you are still above 350.

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