when does treatment of hiv typically begin?
Current HIV/AIDS Guidelines Recommend. 1  If your T-cell count is above 500, you can hold off on HIV medications, but many experts feel it's good to start, just to be safe. 2  If your CD4 count is between 350 and 500, you should begin treatment to protect your immune system from future damage. If your T-cell count is below 350, or if you've ever had an AIDS-defining illness, you should start treatment immediately to avoid serious health problems.