Question
My CD-4 cell count is 122. How do I boost them to get a higher count?
13 June 2008. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
Answer
The only way to boost your CD4 count is to use HIV treatment (ARVs).
No other approach has shown any significant short-term or, most importantly, long-term way of stopping HIV-related CD4 losses.
HIV treatment should reduce viral load to undetectable, and then your immune system has a chance to repair itself and become stronger again.
All treatment guidelines recommend that someone with a CD4 count that is under 200 should start ARV treatment, Recently, some guidelines have shifted to earlier treatment – when CD4 is between 200 and 350, or before it falls to below 350 cells/mm3.
Other things can play a part – for example good diet and nutrition – will help you get the most from treatment, but nutrition and diet on their own will not be enough.
Hello Linda and many thanks for getting in touch.
Yes, it is possible your baby will be HIV free even if you started ARVs late.
The most important thing is to take your medication daily so you can reach the delivery undetectable.
In that case you can even have a natural birth, if that is what you want and it’s safe for the baby.
Moreover, if you are undetectable at birth, your clinic can also support you to breastfeed, if that’s what you want.
Hello, can my baby be HIV negative if I started taking ARVs late (5months).