When should one start medication when hiv positive?

~500: It is now generally accepted that HIV medication should be started when a persons CD4 cell count (your "t cells", the part of your immune system that helps destroy harmful pathogens and prevent opportunistic disease) is around 500. This does vary....I personally start people even at the 700-800 levels. Medications are very effective now a days and much less toxic than they were in the past.

ASAP: Anti retrovirals should be started as soon as possible to avoid further problems and progression to aids.