How to prevent PCP

May 2008     View PDF     En español

Your CD4 cell counts

When people living with HIV get their routine blood work done, a common lab value that doctors look at is CD4 counts. This count is an important measure of the health of your immune system.

CD4 counts are considered in the “normal” range when they’re above 500. When they fall into the 350 range, people are often encouraged to consider HIV therapy to prevent more damage to the immune system by HIV. When CD4 counts fall into the 200–300 range, people are encouraged to start preventive therapy for PCP.

For more information on monitoring your immune health, see Project Inform’s publications titled Day One, Blood work: Two Common Tests to Use, and Strategies for Improving Your Immune System.