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 Sphelele, CD4 count recovery can be slow. It does not happen as quickly as viral load is suppressed. Starting at 150 means it may take a couple of years for your CD4 count to reach a healthy limit. This is because treatment works by suppressing HIV and stopping it damaging CD4 cells. The body can then naturally regenerate these cells but it is a slow process.
Have you been given any other treatment? Often when you have a low CD4 count people are given an antibiotic. Usually it is called co-trimoxazole. This is used to prevent other infections as your immune system recovers.
Good I’m sphelele
I want to know how long can my cd4 count improve I start treatment with 150 cd4 count but I’m using ARVs
Hi Ruth, I am sorry to hear about your son. How old is he? and has he told you why he does not want to go to the clinic?
Coming to terms with this can take time. The best thing you can do is be there and ready for when he does want to go to the clinic.
Has he had support from anyone else? e.g., friends or his doctor?
Hi m Nonki my son has been diagnosed with HIV and I see is struggling to come to terms with it I don’t know how to help him to accept the situation he’s getting weak everyday he’s one child I don’t wanna loose him how do I help him he doesn’t wanna go to the clinic please help me.
Hi Dennis, no this is not true. as treatment can improve CD4 count to above 200 this is reversible. You do not have AIDS. Have you been offered any antibiotics while you have a CD4 count below 200? It is usually called co-trimoxazole. It is used to prevent other infections while your CD4 count recovers.
It is great that you are on treatment. CD4 recovery can be slow. It is not like viral load in which you will see a big change quickly. After 6 months a risk between 10 – 30 would be an expected increase. Starting from a count below 200 can mean that recovery to a healthy range can be a few years but it will steadily increase over time.
Hi
I am Dennis.
I was diagnosed hiv+ 3 weeks ago.
My cd4 is 165. I heard that cd4 below 200 means the virus has developed to AIDS.
Is it true?
I have been taking ARV TLD since then.
How much the cd4 I can expect to increase in the first 6 months?
If my cd4 increases to above 200, is it still diagnosed as AIDS?
Thank you.
Hi Chandhu, thanks – this is a really good CD4 count. It shows your meds are working well. Thsi link has more info:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting
My cd4 count after 1 month of ART is 488? Is this dangerous?
Hi Asa, great that you re now on meds and that you are so careful about your treatment. Please don’t worry about any small differences in the time you take your meds. You can be 1-2 hours early or 1-2 hours late and you will stil be fine. The meds are active enough to cover this.
Hallow
I was diagnosed in april 2022, with a cd4 count of 238. I take my ARVs at 20:00 PM but lately I forget and I always take it around 8: 45 or 8:20 or 8:50. Now I am worried if can this affect my cd 4 count?