4 Critical Biometrics EVERY Black HIV Patient Should Know

Your body is amazing, isn’t it?  Of course, that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong fast, and in some cases, they do. Heck, in some cases, we don’t know what hit us! This is where knowing your body is so critical, especially if you’re a Black person living with HIV/AIDS. Despite making up only 13 percent of the population, Black folks account for roughly 42 percent of new HIV diagnoses. Moreover, Black HIV/AIDS patients suffer more complications and poorer health outcomes compared to other races.  The good news is, that there are several crucial biometrics – measures of your body processes – that can steer you right. If you’re managing your HIV/AIDS, here are four aspects of your health you absolutely need to keep an eye on… 1. CD4 Cell Count CD4 cells are what we call T-helper cells. Basically, they play a major role in your immune system’s defense against infections. Now, as you may know, HIV targets and destroys these cells, which then of course makes you more vulnerable to infections. This is why monitoring your CD4 cell count is crucial. If your count gets too low, that’s where antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be necessary.  On the flip...