CD4 Cell Count

The CD4 cell count has a heavy impact on the health of the individuals that suffer from HIV. These cells are an intricate and critical component to the immune system of the human body. These cells are part of the white blood cells throughout the body.

Medical professionals often refer to these cells as "Lymphocytes". Many professionals may also refer to them as "T-Cells". When evaluating the CD4 cell count that is present in an HIV sufferer, doctors distinguish two unique types. These types are identified as "T-4" and "T-8". The "T-4" versions are also identified as "CD4+" and the "T-8" versions are also identified as "CD8+".

Each of these cells plays a vital role when it comes to determining the CD4 cell count in people that suffer from HIV. The "T-4" cells are considered to be the "helper" cells. These are responsible for focusing on infections that invade the body in order to eliminate them.

The "T-8" white blood cells are often referred to as the "suppressor" cells. Basically, they work to close up the response that is originally initiated by the immune system of the body. These unique lymphocytes have also been known to kill cells that they interpret as a danger such as those associated with infections and various types of cancer.

When an individual has HIV, the CD4 cell count becomes infected with the virus. The actual code that is genetically associated with HIV becomes embedded into these fighter cells. When the CD4 cell count reacts to the HIV that has invaded the body, they multiply to create a stronger defense.

Unfortunately, this means that in a short amount of time, the virus spreads throughout the body rapidly. As time progresses, the body shows less and less of these white blood cells. As the CD4 cell count decreases, the immune system of the body is also weaker. It is at this point that the sufferer starts to experience the worst of the medical complications associated with HIV.