Developing vaccines is not easy. It requires extensive research and hard work from eminent scientists followed by clinical trials to check the efficacy of vaccines. Millions of people across the globe wait for this vaccine which is a “boon” for AIDS. A vaccine is a therapeutic approach and the best preventive treatment that can work in preventing this fatal disease AIDS. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a chronic, potentially life-threatening disease caused by HIV (Human Deficiency Virus). As the entire globe awaits the AIDS vaccine, We, at Medicircle are conducting an awareness series at the onset of World AIDS Vaccine Day to educate people about AIDS and its preventive measures from eminent Expert Doctors and Medical professionals. 

Dr.Vaibhav Lunkad is a practicing dermatologist, psychologist, and sexologist with experience of 31 years. He has experienced skills and is awarded a doctorate in his field of specialization. Dr. Vaibhav has been awarded Orator Par Excellence, Excellent Teacher in Pulse Diagnosis. He is an esteemed member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venerologist, and Leprologists(IADVL), Indian Medical Association (IMA), and Indian Association of Dermatologists,s and Member Council Sex Education and Parenthood International. He also worked as a senior medical officer at an antiretroviral therapy center in Sasson hospital at Pune. 

CD4 count is a reliable test for diagnosis of HIV

Dr. Vaibhav Lunkad says, “CD4 count is the traditional and cheapest mode of diagnosis because the viral load is a very costly diagnosis for every HIV patient. The other countries like America rely more on viral load. While India relies more on the CD4 count because it is a cheaper and best alternative especially in our own setup." 

Dr. Vaibhav says, “CD4 count can be done at small laboratories while for the viral load they need the big laboratories with machines. Later on, India also started with viral load for every patient. CD4 count is a cheaper, better, and easier alternative to viral load. It gives us an immediate diagnosis about the immunity of the patient. A normal patient who does not suffer from HIV has a CD4 count of 1500. The patient who suffers from HIV has a CD4 count dropping down. The patient who is HIV positive needs ART treatment irrespective of his CD4 count. So we have to give priority to the serious patients of HIV so that they don't spread HIV to others. The patients on ART (Antiretroviral Therapy)treatment have very little possibility to spread HIV to others.”

Importance of CD4 count 

Dr.Lunkad informs,” CD4 count gives us immense usefulness in :

Diagnosing HIV  The seriousness of HIV  When to start ART medications  Monitoring HIV patients and their treatment 

If the CD4 count improves, we know that medications are helping the patient. Also, with good CD4 count, he is less opportunistic to infections and very less chance of untimely death.” 

Low CD4 counts make you prone to opportunistic infection in HIV patients 

Dr. Lunkad states, “Opportunistic infections are very common in HIV. The patient may suffer from the following symptoms:

Diarrhea which is uncontrollable  Recurrent throat infection with bacteria, virus, and fungi  Skin infection  Eye infection 

All these opportunistic infections cause the CD4 count to drop. However, if good hygiene is maintained by the HIV patient, then there is very little chance of going into an infection. We can avoid untimely death and can save his life.”

AIDS vaccine is very important 

Dr. Lunkad says, “Vaccine is very important in today’s world. If we have vaccines, then we can overcome the high-risk cases of AIDS especially drug users, drug peddlers,  high alert users, criminals and we will be able to control the world. It is very important to have an AIDS vaccine.”

Early symptoms of AIDS may show indirect symptoms

Dr.Vaibhav informs, “Some patients come with symptoms of throat and skin in HIV with just itching in the throat or skin. Nobody will be able to diagnose at that time the symptoms of HIV. Patients with HIV might start coughing after 15 days and nobody is able to cure it with normal antibiotics or cough syrups. HIV starts coming up with tuberculosis which is diagnosed first. At this time, it is important to do an HIV test compulsorily. HIV patients might show indirect symptoms. Doctors should be aware of the symptoms of HIV to diagnose it early.” says Dr.Lunkad     

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)