Q: My colleague was tested positive for HIV. He gets his load of CD4 count done every 3-6 months. Initially the CD4 had shown 800+ with viral load at 80000. He got scared and the doctor started anti-viral drugs, which went on for 6-8 months. We took a second opinion and the doctor told us that there was no need to start the medicine because the patient is healthy. Now he is out of medication and the CD4 is hovering between 750 to 650 and the last report was showing nil viral load. The last test showed viral load of 7000+ and CD4 of 615 with haemoglobin of 10. Is this a good report? The patient at the moment is having nutritious food along with aloe vera. How to increase the CD4 count and the haemoglobin? Is yoga useful?

A:With the reports of CD4 count and the viral load that your friend has right now, there is no need for starting anti-retroviral treatment. However, it is necessary to get these investigations done regularly (every 6 months) as a follow up. As a general rule, your friend should eat nutritious, healthy food; do exercises regularly; practice sex safe; refrain from smoking and alcohol; and generally protect himself from common cold, diarrhoea etc. by taking precautions; have positive thinking and do meditation & yoga etc. These will help him in leading a healthy life for a long time.