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 Olwethu,
I’m sorry to hear this about your friend. Do you mean his viral load is 100000 copies and his CD4 count is now 300? This looks like his HIV treatment is not working.
Please ask him to ask the doctor to test for drug resistance and switch to other HIV meds.
What HIV meds is he taking at the moment? Please let us know.
Here is the guide to changing treatment (ART) if viral load rebounds.
Hy I need help my friend his CD4 count is 441 since last year the pill didn’t help him and viral load is 100000,300 and now in clinic they didn’t have anything to help him
Hi Vikram,
When someone is positive, they take a medication called ART,or ARVs are it’s also know. There are various combinations of ARVs. As to what you’d be given, this all depends on where you live and your personal needs.
Which is d best treatment for HIV positive sir
Hi Philemon,
At the moment we there aren’t injectable ARVs, what we have are tablets.
Hi Reyn,
Do we have injectable Arvs in the market?
Hi Margaret,
It looks like your ARVs are working well. The aim of HIV treatment (called ART) is to get viral load to under 50 copies/mL. Anything under 50 copies is undetectable.
How long have you been taking ART? You can see from this page in ART in Pictures what happens to viral load and CD4 count when starting ART.
Viral load comes down dramatically and quickly. But it takes longer for the CD4 count to recover. Please see this similar Q&A about CD4 counts stuck around 350.
Please see this Introduction to ART for more info.
My CD4 is always 350 and detectable 20 copies I never understand all those things more explanation please are they good or a bit better
Hi Reyn,
Yes you can recover, the most important thing is that you start ARVs as soon as possible. Due to your CD4 being very low, you should ideally be getting specialist care, this is because you’re going to be more prone to opportunistic infections. If you’re yet to start meds, you may find the following helpful: http://i-base.info/guides/side
Hi i newly found out that i have hiv but my cd4 is only 20 can i still survive or recover?