What are CD-4 and CD-8 cells?
These are white blood cells that have been activated by the thymus – therefore they are known as T-cells. CD-4 cells are helper T- cells. They coordinate the activities of our immune system. Once activated, they divide rapidly and secrete small proteins called cytokines that signal the immune system to take action. People with CD-4 counts around 500 usually have fairly normal immune function and are at low risk for opportunistic infections. Current U.S. government guidelines recommend that you should consider HIV treatment when your CD-4 count falls below 350 cells. People with CD-4 cell counts below 200 are diagnosed as having AIDS. The guidelines recommend starting treatment at this point, if you have not already done so. As the CD-4 count goes down, HIV persons are more likely to develop opportunistic infections and cancers. CD-8 cells are T-suppressor white blood cells that inhibit or suppress or regulate immune system responses and prevent inapropriate auto-immune response. Or the
