How often will my doctor want to see me?

How often will my doctor want to see me?
Your doctor will probably want to see you every 6 months as long as your CD4 cell count is higher than 500. Your doctor will probably want to see you every 3 months if your CD4 cell counts are below 500. However, if you take a new medicine, your doctor will want to see you more often, to check your response to the medicine or to see if your HIV infection is getting worse.

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What else can help me?
Some medicines can help prevent the other infections and complications that come when HIV lowers your body's resistance (makes your immune system weak). Here are some things that can help people with HIV:

* A flu shot every fall helps prevent the flu.
* A shot every 5 to 7 years can prevent pneumonia caused by the bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It's easier for people who have HIV to get this kind of pneumonia.
* A tuberculosis (TB) skin test every year can tell if you have TB. TB is a very serious illness, especially in people who have HIV.
* A Pap test for women to check for dysplasia (a pre-cancer condition) and for cancer of the cervix. Both of these conditions occur more often in women who have HIV infection. At first, Pap tests are done every 6 months. After 2 Pap tests in a row are normal, you might only have to get them once a year.
* A hepatitis B test for people who are at risk for hepatitis B infection. You're at risk for this infection if you inject drugs. If the test shows you don't have hepatitis B infection, your doctor might want you to have the hepatitis B vaccine to protect you from getting the infection.
* A medicine called TMP-SMZ can help. This antibiotic would be given to you if your CD4 cell count is less than 200. It helps prevent pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Pneumocystis jiroveci. This antibiotic also helps prevent another infection, called toxoplasmosis.
* Azithromycin, clarithromycin and rifabutin can help when your CD4 cell count is lower than 50 to 75. They keep you from getting an infection caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium avium.

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A note about vaccines
Sometimes the amount of a certain vaccine cannot keep up with the number of people who need it. More info...

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What is the best time to start taking these medicines?
Almost all experts agree that medicines for HIV should be started before the person's CD4 cells fall under 200. Most doctors want their patients to start taking medicines earlier, when the CD4 cell count is between 200 and 500. You and your doctor should talk about which medicines to take and when to start taking them. (See the handout on HIV and Plasma Viral Load Testing for more information on your CD4 cell count and your plasma viral load.)

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Which are the best drugs for me to use?
Each person should talk to his or her doctor about the medicines for HIV. Most doctors treat their patients with more than one medicine.

Your doctor will test your blood to see when you should start taking medicine. The blood tests can also show how well your medicine is working. The tests will help your doctor decide if your treatment should change.

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Where can I get more information about HIV treatments?
Many cities have telephone hotlines for both patients and the general public. Look for the number in your telephone yellow pages, under AIDS information.

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More Information

STIs, HIV and AIDS

* How to Reduce Your HIV and AIDS Risk
* Coping With an HIV Diagnosis
* HIV Infection in Women
* HIV, Pregnancy and AZT
* How to Take HIV Medicines
* HIV and Plasma Viral Load Testing
* Avoiding Infections When You Have HIV
* HIV
* Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and HIV
* Nutrition and Exercise When You Have HIV
* Occupational Exposure to HIV

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Other Organizations

* CDC HIV/AIDS Information
* HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service
* The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource

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Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

American Academy of Family Physicians

Reviewed/Updated: 12/10
Created: 05/97