To determine if you need to take HIV medications, your doctor will take at least two blood tests: a viral load test to see how much HIV is in your bloodstream, and a T-cell test, also known as a CD4 count, which tests how strong your immune system is. Based on both your T-cell test and viral load test results, you and your doctor will have a clear picture of how HIV has progressed in your body and when you should start taking HIV medications.

Generally, every three to six months you should visit your doctor for a checkup to find out if the HIV in your body is progressing. When you and your doctor decide you are ready to start taking HIV medications, there are some things you and your doctor will discuss.

Once you start taking HIV medications, you'll probably have to take them for a very long time, so you and your doctor will want to make sure you are absolutely ready before you begin treatment. This way you can postpone possible medication side effects and make the most of the powerful initial effect medications can have on the HIV in your body.

All studies indicate that it is best to start HIV medications before your T-cell count drops below 350 in order to avoid dangerous HIV-related infections and illnesses. Your T-cell count, however, will vary from test to test. Often, your doctor will wait for you to have two consecutive T-cell tests that are low before recommending that you start HIV treatment.