There was a significant difference in median plasma VL between acutely infected participants (86,900 cp/ml, IQR: (9,741–559,230) and recent/established infections (32,334, IQR: (3,755–76,552), p = .006); median CD4 count (acute: 517 (IQR: 418–686), recent/established: 424, (IQR 344–570), p = .02), and more acutely infected participants reporting symptoms around enrollment (p = .008). Here, CD4 is linked to infection.