HIV treatment today is a world away from what it was even two years ago.  Important new medications and older, proven medications can now be taken less frequently with reduced side effects.

Nonetheless, choosing HIV medications and determining when to begin treatment are big decisions. Fortunately, newly infected people not on treatment typically can go 10 years without a single symptom. This means that when you test positive for HIV, depending on when you were infected and what your CD4 count and viral load are, it's usually OK to wait to make an informed decision about using HIV medications.

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.

When it comes to taking HIV medications, first answer this question: Is now the right time to start? Current U.S. guidelines recommend that you begin HIV treatment if your CD4 count is between 350 and 500 or if you've developed an opportunistic infection. But many experts believe HIVers may benefit from starting treatment even earlier. The most important thing, though, is to talk with a knowledgeable HIV doctor to ensure that when you do start taking meds, it's for the right reasons, and you're ready to commit to taking every dose on time.