The unfornanate thing about HIV, is that it can take a year, or 10 years before it becomes AIDS. They say the average is 8 years, but its really not true.
But if he has just HIV, and say he has only had it for maybe a year or two, he has a good chance of remaining healthy. You can't always fix what is already broken, but you can try and prevent it from breaking more [This reffering to his health]
When did he find out that he had it? Because sometimes people go through a lot of things, when they find out. He could be in shock, or denial. A lot of people get depressed about having HIV, because its almost always [especially now] 'their' fault. Its not like some genetic disease, or anything its caused by "stupid actions"...so he is probably blaming himself, feeling completly at fault. And the media isnt always helpful, with its sex leads to AIDS, using drugs leads to AIDS. People make bad choices, and sometimes have to pay for them dramatically.
He also may be feeling down, because of his meds. If he has just started taking them, they might be making him feel worse rather then better, and he may be thinking 'what is the point-i just feel worse' But it takes awhile for the meds to work [it is like this with most meds]
I suggest he should go to support groups, with other people with HIV. Because itll probably be easier if he does, it will help him realize he isn't the only person with it.
But honestly if he just has HIV, he has a huge chance to help himself. Just try to pull him out of any depression he might have. Support, can often help more then meds. Honestly, because the mind will kill you faster then the virus in many cases.
I would say more, but everyone else has pretty much covered T-cells, CD4, and Viral Load count.
On a side note, its nice [bad choice of word i suppose] to see other people that know about HIV/AIDS i often come to boards and have to explain EVERYTHING.
