Question
How can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
8 January 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, South Africa, Starting treatment, Supplements and herbs.
I have just found out that I was HIV positive in March, last year. My CD4 count was 270.
I did another test and it was 284 and my doctor said I must start treatment.
I just want to know what I must do to increase my CD4 count without taking treatment.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
The only way to increase your CD4 is to use HIV treatment (ART).
Your doctor is giving you good information and advice.
Nothing else, including multivitamins, supplements or herbal remedies can increase your CD4 count. Looking after yourself is important – for example, eating a balanced diet, keeping physically and mentally active, reducing stress, sleeping well etc. But increasing your CD4 count is only proven by using effective HIV meds.
Even though some companies advertise this vitamins and supplements can help your CD4 count, these are scams. There is no such thing as an “immune booster” and no “immune booster” will help your CD4 count or help control HIV.
Why do you want to delay ART or look at other options? HIV meds are really effective – this is what they were designed for.
ART stops HIV from replicating. The main aim is to reduce your viral load to an undetectable level (less than 50 copies/mL). As your viral load goes down, your immune system start to repair itself. This means that your CD4 count will slowly go up to higher levels again.
Currently South Africa recommendation starting treatment when the CD4 count is below 500 cells/mm3. This may change in the future and treatment might be recommended at any CD4 count. (Note: South African later changed to recommends treatment at any CD4 count).
Here is a link to more information about starting treatment. Please take your time reading it and if you have any further questions do write back to me.
Are you receiving any support from other people? Getting support from your local support group or a counsellor can help you to come to terms living with HIV. Also you will be able to gain and share experiences with others who are in the similar situation as you, rather than having to deal with it in isolation.
This answer was updated in January 2019 and January 2016 from a question first posted on 2 March 2012.
My CD4 is 292, my doctor has said I should start taking trivenz, is this the right thing to do. I’m scared.
Hi Jasper. If you are sure that your CD4 count is 14, then your doctor is giving you very bad advice.
All treatment guidelines recommend starting HIV treatment as soon as possible.
The urgency of starting is directly related to the CD4 count. Having a count less than 100 is very serious and less than 50 is even more serious. Until you start treatment you are at high risk of serious infections.
It is not enough to just have antibiotics.
Please see this answer for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/4643
Please contact your doctor or see another doctor for better treatment. You can take this answer with you if it will help. Please let me know shat happens.
Hi. Just diagnosed this month. My CD4 is just 14. My doctor told me to take cotri and azith for 6 months before i can start having meds for HIV. Because i really thought that with my CD for count i will start ART immediately.
Hi Jackson,
The only thing that you can do to help your CD4 is to take meds. What was it when you first started meds? And how long have you been on them for?
I went for my review this week, but my viral load was 20ml and my cd4 was 192. Now I want to find out what type of food do I need to take for me to improve my cd4? Am taking efavirenz,
Hi Layla,
A HIV positive diagnoses can be very difficult for someone to accept. It does though usually get easier with time. Is your friend able to access any support?
Beginning meds can be hard as it can make the illness seem in someways more real. Do you know why he doesn’t want to begin meds? What might help is if you share with him our Introduction to ARVs guide. Its full of very useful info and explains what ARVs are, as well as why they are important to take.
If your friend has a low CD4 count, then its really important that he begins meds. Though this may be a scary time, being on meds is the best and only thing that he can do to help his HIV. You could tell him this. Also, if he begins meds, then his chances of having a long and healthy life are greatly increased.
Here’s some links that you may wish to share with him:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
https://i-base.info/qa/?s=life+expectancy
http://i-base.info/guides/side
Just continue to listen to him, and support him.
I have a friend who has been recently diagnosed with hiv he doesn’t want to take medication how can I help him?
Hi Alger,
The only way that you can increase your CD4 is by being on treatment. Is this something that your doctor talked to you about? Because your CD4 is low, its important that you start meds. For more info when having a CD4 of less than 200 please see the following:
https://i-base.info/qa/3560
I just have a question i got my first CD4 result and its 199 my doctor wants me to retake it. What is the best way to increase my CD4 count. Need your advice. Thanks
Hi Daryl,
To be able to answer this question, I need to know what ARVs you’re taking.