Question
How can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
8 January 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Southern 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 Mosire,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, and the problems you had taking ARVs.It is important that you speak to your doctor about this because there may be important implications for your health. Can you tell me what your most recent CD4 count test result was?
Stopping ARVs shouldn’t affect your chances of getting pregnant. But HIV positive women need to take ARVs in pregnancy to prevent passing the infection to their babies. If you don’t take any ARVs during pregnancy or breastfeeding there is a high possibility of your baby also having HIV.
All medicines have some side effects and its normal to get an upset stomach when you start ARVs. Usually this gets better after a few weeks, and you can usually get a medicine from your doctor to help with this.
If your CD4 count is low (under 350) the longer you are off meds the more likely it is you will get ill. In the long run almost everybody with HIV needs to be on ARVs. If this isn’t urgent (if your CD4 count is still quite high) then it’s worth taking some time to learn about ARVs so that you are ready to start again when you need to. Starting and stopping isn’t a good idea because it can lead to drug resistance, which may mean having to take a more complicated combination of drugs with more difficult side effects. Please see our introduction to combination therapy for more information. You may also find this information about stopping treatment useful.
Hi, I’ve found out that I am HIV positive and my doctor put me on ARV’s. My problem is the medication smells and does not feel alright in my stomach. I have stopped taking them without informing my doctor and I am also planning to have a baby with my husband. How does this affect me and will it ruin my chances of falling pregnant?
My CD4 is 8 as the test have shown,what does this portend and how can I boost my CD4 count before I start AVR as I am yet to take it.
Hi Francis,
If your CD4 count is 8 it is important that you start ARVs right away- within the next week or so. A CD4 count of 8 means that your immune system is very weak, and you are at risk of getting opportunistic infections like CMV and pneumonia. Nothing else will increase your CD4 count- the only way to do this is to take ARVs. Please see this page about low CD4 counts.
Hi Matieho,
There are no supplements that will help treat HIV. It’s important that the cause of your friend’s psychosis is investigated as this can be a sign of an infection affecting the brain. Has his doctor looked into this? Is your friend currently in a hospital?
When he does start treatment it is important your friend does not take efavirenz. This is an ARV which is part of the combination pill sometimes called Tribuss, Atripla or Odimune. Efavirenz has a common side effect profile that overlaps with the symptoms of brain-related symptoms such as psychosis. Taking efavirenz while experiencing psychosis will make it difficult to know which symptoms are related to the drug, and which are related to his ongoing condition.
If you are having problems accessing medicines please contact the Treatment Action Campaign for advice.
My friend CD4 is 240 he has psychosis presently he is supposed to start with the ARV’s but we are still waiting for the medical aid approval.
What other supplements can he take meanwhile.
Hi Sthembile,
Supplements don’t treat HIV and won’t boost your immune system if you are HIV positive. If you are worried about HIV it’s important that you get tested to find out your status. Please see our testing guide for more info.
Hi there!!
I think I’m hiv positive bt I’m scared 2 go to the clinic,so I’m thinking of eating supplements just to boost ma immune system if I am hiv possitive,is it a gud thing for me to do??
Hi Fundi,
Stress can have an negative impact on your CD4 count so it’s important to try to deal with the issues that are causing you to be stressed. Finding out you are HIV positive is a lot to deal with, and can make other life stresses even harder. It can help to get support, either through support groups or counselling. Do you have any support right now?
Hi I have just found that I’m Hiv + and my cd 4 count is 405 and at the moment I’m realy going tru a rough patch in I’m worried that being stressed will decrese my cd 4 count more, is that possible?