Hi, We look for the count of a certain type of lymphocytes called CD4 lymphocytes (in addition to a few other parameters) to understand the stage and progress of HIV infection. Please be advised that CD4 count will not diminish soon after HIV infection. The count falls down gradually as the immune system weakens over a period of time. To delay the weakening (of immune system) the HIV infected persons (PLHAs) are advised to take precautions like taking nutritious food, doing physical workouts, keeping a positive mental attitude, staying away from environment loaded with disease-causing organisms and observing Universal Precautions. That way one can keep his lymphocyte count within the normal range for quite a long time and thus stay healthy despite having HIV.