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.
The information in this publication is very useful and help the patient to manage his HIV infection.
Hi Manu,
If your father isn’t on meds he will need to start meds, this will increase his CD4 count. I can’t comment on the issue of giving him blood an anemia, but there is medication for this.
My parents were diagnosed to be positive since 4 years. They are under medication. In the last cd4 count test my fathers which was around 400 last time has reduced to 254. He is anemic now and doctor said that they need to provide blood to him. How can we get his cd4 count to increase? Does he need to start ART treatment?
Hi Shiva,
Your relatives CD4 is low, however they go much lower. With medication his CD4 will slowly begin to rise, so yes he can get well. He should also follow the advice that’s in this link:
https://i-base.info/qa/4643
My relative is infected with HIV at the time of the cd4 count is 54 He is started ART medicine. Now doctors are saying that he is in last stage of HIV. Is it not possible to get them back to early stages.
My CD4 count is 605. Been positive for almost 30 year’s
Hi Thabiso, You question has already been answered here.
Hi can a person with hiv drink protein shake?
Hi, how are you doing?
Anele
I’ve been Positive for 20 years now the best advice i see is your Dr. Adive luckly now days theres (ART) that you only take one pill a day wich helps a grate full my CD4 count was 94 and my virul load was over 52k but i didnt need (ART) unlit afther 17 years but every immune sisthem is difrent i highly recomend lisining to you Dr. and take (ART) that he recomends im in Tijuana Mexico were thers a Hospice with over 120 PT with the se with HIV/AiDS it calld Las Memorias AC no profit organistion that helps PT with HIV/ AIDS remeber your Dr. is aways rigth and no by experians ther is no CD$ booster outher that works all you need to do is eat good sleep well no dont smoke or use any drugs or alchol and you will se on your next check up you CD4 count rise and your Virul load go lesn then (less than 40 copies/mL)
sorry so the miss types lol hopefully buy now you doing great
Hi Anele, What is an immunizer? HIV treatment means using ARVs, and they are safe and effective – and they work well.