CD4 counts and viral loads of newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals: implications for treatment as prevention.

Objective: To report the viral load and CD4 count in HIV-infected, antiretroviral naïve, first -time HIV-testers, not immediately eligible for treatment initiation by current South Africa treatment guidelines.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study in a high-volume, free-of-charge HIV testing centre in Soweto, South Africa.

Methods: We enrolled first time HIV testers and collected demographic and risk-behaviour data and measured CD4 count and viral load.