The percentages of these cells are important for prognosis and treatment effect.
Absolute numbers tend to vary more.
The percent of CD4 cells is a much more stable number over time. The percentage of CD8 cells goes up accordingly, but in advanced AIDS, goes down again. Thus, it is possible to get a rough idea when people who are found to be HIV antibody positive might have got infected. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.