How to use your laboratory tests and your symptoms to decide when to start treatment

he table below shows how to use your CD4 count, your viral load, and your symptoms to guide your decision about when to start treatment.

If …	AND …	AND…
your CD4 count is greater than 350	your viral load is less than 100,000	you have no symptoms	therapy is not recommended
your CD4 count is greater than 350	your viral load is greater than 100,000	you have no symptoms	most doctors would advise you not to start therapy yet, but some may want you to think about starting therapy at this point.
your CD4 count is between 201 and 350	you have no symptoms	--	you and your doctor should decide whether to start treatment
your CD4 count is less than 200		--	it is recommended that you begin treatment
you have severe symptoms, or you have an AIDS-defining condition	--	--	it is recommended that you begin treatment