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.
Hi BYARUGABA,
At the moment there isn’t an injectable ARV. There are however people working on developing one.
Is there any injection drugs for treating HIV?
Hi Nonhlanhla,
If your husband has so far tested negative this is a good thing. With regards to his weakness if he isn’t positive then there could be another health issue.
You’ve said that you’ve told him to test, but you haven’t told him about your status, is that correct? If it is then though it may be hard to tell him, if you’re having sex without a condom you really do need to tell him. You’ll need to tell him because of the risk. However, this may not be something that you’re comfortable with doing. I wish there were an easy way around this, but for some people there just isn’t.
Being able to tell him that once your HIV is under control that there won’t be any risks could help.
Hi I just found out that I’m giving positive but I’m scared to tell my husband please help me how can I tell him coz I try so many ways to tell him I even told him to go and get tested but his result came negative but I can see he is getting weak please help me
Hi Thando,
Changes in body shape with modern day ARVs isn’t something that’s really that common. Yes, you may gain a little weight, but this will be because your body will no longer be having to fight the HIV. Please see here for info about starting meds: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Morning I’m prepared to start arvs but I’m worried about the change of body shape I see other people who are taking arvs their body shape change and why?
Hi Kavi,
Yes, certainly. There is no reason why people who are HIV positive can’t get married.
Please see your other comment answered below.
Can hiv patient gets married
Hi Kavi,
Yes, certainly. There is no reason why people who are HIV positive can’t get married.
Having an undetectable viral load means that you don’t have to use condoms if you don’t want to. Please see Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) at the link here.
Can HIV patient gets married once their hiv undetectable