Pandemic-related anxiety was not found to be correlated with HIV-related factors, such as CD4 count and viral load, which varies from pre-pandemic mental health research that found PLWH with lower CD4 counts and higher viral load reported worse mental health outcomes.31,32 A pre-pandemic diagnosis of depression or anxiety was also not associated with dysfunctional pandemic-related anxiety. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and depressive disorder.