Douglas T. Dieterich, M. D.Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Cabrini Medical Center
Assoc. Prof. of Medicine NYU School of Medicine
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. My daughter is both HIV & Hep C positive. Her last viral load count was 55,000 and her T cells were around 490. They want her to start on the Interferon for her Hep C. Will this most likely raise her viral load and lower her t-cells for the year that she takes this medication? Also, she is supposed to have her tonsils removed because of the constant strep throat and gland problems that she has. Is this safe? She is 21. She was diagnosed about a year ago.
Douglas T. Dieterich, M. D.
Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Cabrini Medical Center
Assoc. Prof. of Medicine NYU School of Medicine
As for the tonsils, that is no problem. HCV treatment will lower her HIV viral load because the interferon is active against HIV! Her T cells will go down, but only the absolute count, not the percentage which is the most important number.
The good news is that the HCV is potentially curable! If the HCV does not become undectable in 3 months or so, I might recommend that she be treated for the HIV to get that virus under control to help clear the HCV.
Good luck!
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