NIAID-funded study that showed a 71 percent higher risk of death for patients who deferred treatment (waited until their CD4s were below 350) versus those who started earlier.

Currently, both the U.S. and European treatment guidelines recommend starting treatment if your CD4’s drop below 350. There’s always a lag time between new scientific insights and changes in the guidelines as their panelists wait for a new consensus to emerge.

I’m predicting the next big change in the guidelines will come within two years, and recommend starting treatment when CD4’s fall below 500.

But that?s just one opinion. It?s not a reflection of any expert consensus yet. In other words, follow the guidelines, not this blog.