Question
How can I improve my CD4 count?
11 January 2024. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.
My viral load 900000 and CD4 count 168. I am shocked to see i don’t fall sick but i have lost weight. I’m only 40kg and 170 cm. I have stress. In the past two years I fall sick for once diarrhoea and also was treated soon with one injection.
I drink socially and smoke never.
I have started my ART medicine from 1/1/2024
Want to understand my health condition and how soon I can gain CD4? In 3 months how much CD4 I can gain?
Answer
Hi, how are you?
It is great that you have now started treatment. How long have you been HIV positive?
Treatment is the best way to help improve your CD4 count. It works by suppressing HIV (lowering the viral load) and allows the body to naturally recover its immune system (CD4 cells).
Unlike viral load which changes very quickly. CD4 count increases slowly over time. In the next 3 months only a small increase would be expected e.g., to around 180. It can be more or less than this but it is a slow process.
There is nothing to speed this up and it is okay that it is taking time. Have you been given a medication called co-trimoxazole? This is an antibiotic used when people have a CD4 count below 200. It prevents other infections as your immune system recovers.
How are you coping with the stress you have mentioned? This can lead to weight loss which you have mentioned. Are you able to speak with your doctor or friends and family if you would be comfortable to do so?
You do not need to change your lifestyle to work. Everything in moderation is okay. Drinking socially is not going to have any impact on your treatment.
Being on treatment means you are already doing everything right. It is just a matter of being patient with treatment.
Josh.
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