Some HIV+ People Want Lower CD4 Counts
The goal of all HIV positive people is to stay healthy as long as possible. At least that's what I assumed. In fact, that may not necessarily be the case. In South Africa, HIV positive people qualify for government financial assistance if their CD4 counts fall below 200. So, in an effort to support their families any way they can, some people in South Africa are not taking their meds in hopes of lowering their CD4 counts in an effort to qualify for government monies.Community Counselor, Maggie Nkoko explains that for many their only source of income is government subsidies. She reports that many will wait until they are deathly ill from HIV in hopes of qualifying for government monies. Sacrificing their health to support their family; and the epidemic rages on.
Related Information
- Absolute CD4 vs. CD4 Percentage - What is The Difference?
- The Biology of HIV - How Does HIV Work?
- Why Are CD4 Cells So Important?
Forum Post of the Day
One Viewer Is Asking For Our Input"Last night I had oral vaginal contact with a prostitute. And while actually doing the intercourse I did use a condom. Please tell me what are the chances of me getting infected. I am not aware if that lady is infected but after reading some article this morning, I realized that HIV can be transmitted thru oral vaginal contact as well. I am scared to death thinking what if that lady is actually infected. Am a family man and if infected I will be a guy who was so irresponsible towards my wife and children and I feel all my dreams are shattered. Thinking and talking to my family is making me feel so guilty as they have kept so much hope and faith on me. After reading some other posts in this forum I understood that incubation time is 6 months and I will not know if I am infected or not until that time. I am not sure how I will live until that time with all these thoughts about getting infected. I am already in a deep depression and hope this doesnt get worse.
Please...I need your input - all of you!"
visit your doctor regularly and do check up privately if u want to until the 6 months have passed.then you can know if your infected with HIV. and also look out for any strange symptoms. May god be with u
When you had oral sex with this lady if you didn’t have any open wounds in your mouth I think you should be alright. Just remember not to take chances with anyone you don’t know. Wish you the best.
i agree with daisy. if your mouth was healthy and there were no open sore on the ladie’s vagina either, then you could still be safe. but to be sure get yourself checked out by your doctor. you don’t have to wait for 6 months you can go after 3 months as some tests can pick up the virus by then
in the mean time you should consider using a condom with your wife until you know for sure. hopefully there won’t be a next time but if there is use a dental dam when giving oral sex.
good luck and i pray for your good health.
What’s done is done. I do agree with the two above. I’ve had the same concerns before but the odds are definitely on your side. Statistically you should be fine. Get tested to calm your nerves and be safe.
I have HIV…if I could go back – I would never take the chance of never being able to have real sex with my partner again. Don’t be foolish people. Don’t sugar coat with “you should be alright”. You took a chance with your life and changing all of the lives around you. Don’t wait to have HIV to realize manogomy is a wonderful thing!