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, have you started HIV treatment? ART will suppress HIV and keep you healthy. It will also prevent transmission to any of your partners.
Starting HIV treatment: https://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hi doctor I am a newly diagnosed with Hiv I developed Store boil I visited the doctor and he suggested that we do hiv became positive. What I wanna find out is how do I keep my blood system clean from now on going forward
Hi Anthony, have you contacted the manufacturer? i-base is not equipped to provide information about testing. Is your client able to access another CD4 test?
I have client X, whose is newly diagnosed with HIV but PIMA machine failed to detect her CD4 for two times and she is negative for TB and Crag. What causes that scenario?
Hi Nelly, what medication do you take and how long have you been taking it for? While your CD4 count is this low are you on any other medication?
Hi i take my arvs treatment on time everyday but the told me at clinic that they are not happy about my cd4count is110 above and i feel pain in my kidney is ther something i do wrong and i am starting to develop sore in my vargina pls help
Hi Monique, have you started taking ARVs? ARVs are the best and only way to improve your CD4 count. It may be a slow increase, but over time your immune system will recover while on ARVs are your CD4 count will rise.
What can i do to increase my cd4
Hi Shane, do you know her current CD4 count and viral load? is she being seen by a doctor?
Good day
My sister was diagnosed about 18years ago and she didn’t take her treatment for most of 2021 and then got really I’ll and started with her mess again last year October and is going for her check up every month but her condition is not improving,she is ways complaining about her legs painting she can’t balance nd she speaks very slow and her eyesight is not good.Kiny advise what we can do to better het condition