Question
How can I get my CD4 count to increase?
26 May 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Hi – what can I do to help increase my CD4? I have just found out I am at undetectable level after 8 weeks on treatment which is great. my CD4 has gone from 95 to 166 (after 4 weeks) and is now 173 after 8 weeks. I know it can take time for the CD4 to recover when the base level is low as mine but I am still disheartened as I was really hoping for it to have rebounded a bit better than this. What can I do to help it increase? Many thanks for your advice.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Your CD4 count is doing really well and increasing nicely. Most people take 6-12 months for their CD4 counts to increase significantly. You are doing really well and have nothing to feel disheartened about.
There is very little anyone can do to increase their CD4 counts accept using HIV treatment which you are already doing. However, there are some things that you can do to maintain your CD4 count and ensure it stays up. This includes eating a healthy balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, not getting stressed out, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and generally looking after yourself.
Hi Thandekah,
No this isn’t true. The injectable ARV is still in the developed phase.
Hie is it true that there’s injections instead of ARVS but it’s available from private doctors?
Hi Lizzy,
What ARVs are you taking?
Hey I’m Lizzy
I was once defaulted and now I’m back on my treatment and I’ll like to know if I could buy DS24 multivitamin
Hi Linda,
The only thing that can increase a persons CD4 count is ARVs. If you’re taking ARVs, this means that you’re already doing the best thing possible.
What can a person eat to increase CD 4 cell count, I just read probiotic yogurt, ON this site….any others?
Hi Pat,
Has your viral load always been undetectable? Has your doctor said that you might be an elite controller?
Anonymous-please advice me maybe I am wrong I tested positive in 2004 ,I’ve never been sick till now my cd4 is 926 and my viral load is undetectable so now my dr is forcing me to to take arv because government have implemented it ,what must I do
Hi Girly,
I don’t know why you’d need to be admitted, you may however need to change medication. Was this discussed with you?
I’ve started hiv treatment last year on March while I was pregnant. Since there my viral load haven’t change it’s always above 100. And now my viral load is 480 the nurse at the clinic refers me to hospital. This means I’m sick and they will be admitted. Sf