Dear Counsellor:

I am infected with HIV and because my CD4 cell count is very low, I was put on treatment. Counsellor, I cannot tolerate the side effects, so I have actually stopped taking them. What should I do now that I am off the treatment?

Living With HIV

Dear Living with HIV:

It is very important that you contact your health-care provider urgently to report side effects from your antiretroviral treatment. Most side effects are uniquely associated with a particular drug and it is not always easy to identify the cause of side effects. In addition, some side effects appear shortly after starting antiretroviral treatment and then disappear within a few weeks. Some individuals take antiretroviral treatment for years with few problems.

Whatever your situation, you should not sit around feeling comfortable because as you stated, your CD4 is low, which puts you at risk for opportunist infections, which can cause serious illness. Again, let me state, see your health-care provider right away!

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections, call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at 1888-99-4444.