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 Silence,
This CD4 count is very low and it is important that you start taking HIV treatment as soon as possible. The only way to increase your CD4 count is to take anti-retroviral treatment. By not starting treatment you are at high risk of developing an opportunistic infection such as TB or pneumonia. No food or any other medicine will improve your CD4 count.
My CD count is 17 and im not taking medicine , I want. Knw how can I use, and what. Kind of food can I eat
Hi Martha,
Having a CD4 count under 350 means that you are at risk of catching opportunistic infections. This doesn’t mean that you definitely will get ill, just that it is more likely. So far you have been lucky not to get sick, but the longer you wait before starting treatment the more likely this is. This is explained further here: Your CD4 count and the risk of becoming ill
Being HIV positive doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. It’s important to make sure you are as strong as possible before getting pregnant though, and if you did get pregnant now it would be important to start treatment both for your health and your baby’s. You can read about this here:Pregnancy and HIV treatment. It is important to tell your doctor if you are thinking about getting pregnant.
Finally yes, it’s fine to date somebody who is negative. Many people who are positive have happy and healthy relationships with HIV negative people. It’s important to understand the risks of sexual transmission which are explained here: Sexual transmission when one person is positive and the other negative. Being on treatment will also reduce the risk of you transmitting HIV.
Hi Candy,
There are many reasons why your boyfriend’s CD4 could be lower than yours, and I can’t tell you which one applies here. It could be that he has been infected longer than you. Or he may have had a lower CD4 count before he was infected. It’s also possible that he may have had an infection which caused his CD4 count to fall lower. For more information about CD4 counts please follow this link: How quickly does HIV progress in different people?
There is no risk from having sex using condoms. Please follow this link for information about having sex when you’re both positive.
My cd4 count is 206, n m not takin any medication. I want 2go test again after 3 monthss is it ok? Cause now I dnt have sex, I eat healthy n excersize. Is this ok 2 increase my cd4 count. Reason 4 all this is bcause I never experienced any symptoms of HIV until I tested. Even today I’m stil feeling normal? Why is all this. N wil I ever gona fall pregnant. And is it ok to date sum1 who is negative!!
Me and my boyfriend we found out we were HIV positive in January and my CD4 count was 612 and his was below 350, they put him on medication. And I want to know why was CD4 count was so below? And if it is safe for us to have sex every week twice with protection?
Hello Amrita,
It is difficult to give you advice about this without knowing which country you live in. Has your doctor told you why you are not receiving treatment yet?
In most countries being assessed to be at stage 3 of the WHO Disease Staging. would be a reason to start treatment. If you are concerned that you are not receiving the treatment you need you may wish to ask for a second opinion if this is available.
I am HIV positive. My doctor say I am at stage 3 but I don’t know my cd4 count. At presently I am not recieving any treatment. Why my doctor is not recommending any HIV treatment to me. My next appointment is In August
Dear Nosipho
The rate at which CD4 count increases or decreases can vary depending on individuals, as well as whether they are taking ARVs (antiretroviral treatment for HIV) or not. For more detailed information on what happens to CD4 count after infection before someone starts treatment as well as what happens after you start treatment, please follow this link to our guide.
http://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/17-cd4-count-as-a-surrogate-marker
How fast does your cd4 count increase or decrease?