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VA » Health Care » HIV/AIDS » Veterans and Public Home » Just Diagnosed » CD4 count (or T-cell test)

HIV/AIDS

CD4 count (or T-cell test)

for Veterans and the Public

CD4 count (or T-cell count)

Just Diagnosed

The CD4 count is like a snapshot of how well your immune system is functioning. CD4 cells (also known as CD4+ T cells) are white blood cells that fight infection. The more you have, the better. These are the cells that the HIV virus kills. As HIV infection progresses, the number of these cells declines. When the CD4 count drops below 200, a person is diagnosed with AIDS. A normal range for CD4 cells is about 500-1,500. Usually, the CD4 cell count increases when the HIV virus is controlled with effective HIV treatment.

The higher your CD4 count, the better.

The same test that measures your CD4 count often includes a CD8 cell count, too. CD8 cells (also known as CD8+ T cells) are another type of white blood cell that seek out and destroy cells infected with viruses, including HIV-infected cells.

Pop question: True or false. A normal range for a CD4 count is 500-1,500.

Answer: TRUE. A normal range for a CD4 count is about 500-1,500.

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