If you're diagnosed with HIV, you'll have regular blood tests to monitor the progress of the HIV infection before starting treatment. 2 important blood tests are: 1-HIV viral load test – a blood test that monitors the amount of HIV virus in your blood 2-CD4 lymphocyte cell count – which measures how the HIV has affected your immune system Treatment can be started at any point following your diagnosis, depending on your circumstances and in consultation with your HIV doctor. HIV is treated with antiretroviral medicines, which work by stopping the virus replicating in the body. This allows the immune system to repair itself and prevent further damage. A combination of HIV drugs is used because HIV can quickly adapt and become resistant. Some HIV treatments have been combined into a single pill, known as a fixed dose combination, although these often cost more to prescribe. Usually, people who have just been diagnosed with HIV take between 1 and 4 pills a day. Different combinations of HIV medicines work for different people, so the medicine you take will be individual to you.