Question
Can I take Vitamins for my HIV?
1 September 2011. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, CD4 and viral load, Drug interactions, South Africa, Supplements and herbs.
Hi, I am HIV + with a CD4 count of 480. I am not on any medication as yet. What vitamins can I take to be healthy and what diet can I follow to be healthy ? What is the right CD4 count and viral load for one to start taking ARV?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
How are you doing in relations to your health at the moment? This is because a CD4 counts of 480 is good, there is nothing to worry about. However if you have any health conditions you can discuss this with your doctor.
The new South African guidelines says treatment should be offered to anyone whose CD4 is under 350. You can find information on when to start treatment in South Africa at this link.
The following factsheet includes information about vitamins and minerals. Vitamins, minerals and other supplements have no direct activity against HIV and are not a replacement for antiretroviral therapy. Please talk to your doctor about any supplementary medications as they have the potential to interact with HIV treatment.
Eating a healthy diet and keeping mentally and physically active, not smoking, sleeping well and only using recreational drugs including alcohol in moderation is all good advice.
For information on where to get support in South Africa, follow this link
Hi Martha, it is great that you are back on ART. What is the name of the ART you are taking? Do you know your current CD4 count and viral load?
Pls advise ,I once was undetectable but I loss it due to herbal drug I took for 3 month that was last year , so within the 3 month the hiv virus became plenty on me to extend that I fell them moving up and down in my body which innitiall it was like that. So I went to hospital to informed a doctor and he put me back on art ,I have taken it for a year now still the. virus is moving in my body up and down , I went back to tell my doctor and they said they haven’t hear that story before so I should continue taken it they will go. Then he gave me vitamin b complex In addition to my art ,so personally buy vitamin c and add to it,my problem is ,is this virus going to be door mate! Am I going to be undetectable again and how long should I take vitamin c,because I have taken 2 bottles already, I take one daily please advise ,I really need help,I want to be my normal life, right now am not on mysel,due to the virus I fell it in my body
Hi Florence, what ARVs are you taking and how much weight have you lost in how long?
I’m using my arv treatment but all ofsaden I’m loosing weight I’m stressed what went rong