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.
I am under ARV’ I. want to start eating only fruits for my
will it affect me if I take meals only at night?
SECONDLY; can water therapy not interfere with
the ARV doze?
Hi Lizz,
Have you spoken to your HIV doctor about this? Malaria can increase CD4 decline but this is a very big drop in CD4 count and it is important to check that this result is correct. If your CD4 count is 123 it is very important that you start treatment soon-within the next week or two. You can read more about CD4 counts and risk of illness here.
i am an HIV person who has had a cd4 count at 539 and 2 month later it dropped to 123 after suffering from marilia
Hi Portia,
Can you tell me which country you live in so that I can try to put you into contact with a local organisation to help support you?
Dear Rebecca
i have a problem,am HIV positive,i waz in treatment bt my Clinic card burn with a my house so nw they dnt want to give me treatment anymore without my Clinic card.Its almost 3month now im nt on treatment and thats worries me.
Hi Ntombi,
Most people don’t start ARVs until their CD4 count is 350 or below. In some countries people start with at 500.
While your cousin’s CD4 count is above 350 it is very unlikely that she will have any HIV related symptoms or get any opportunistic infections. She should monitored regularly – every 6 months or so- so she can start treatment when she needs to it.
There’s more information about CD4 counts and starting treatment in our Introduction to combination therapy.
Hi Rebbeca
my cousin is HIV positive bt her CD4 is 639 she is nt taking any treatment at the moment bcoz they say its still fine,is it possible if she can stay like that without ARVs only th vitamins and bco
Hi Lindie,
If your CD4 count is 160 it is very important that you start ARVs soon, within the next week or two. This is because you are at risk of opportunistic infections while your CD4 count is this low. Your doctor has given you very bad advice- is this an HIV doctor?
It is important that you go to an HIV clinic and access ARVs. Without these your CD4 count will continue to drop and you are at risk of infections. If you start treatment soon you will have a good chance of recovering your CD4 count and being healthy.
My CD 4 count has been between 300 and 500 for the past 5years and this year it has decline to 160 but my doctor still recommend that I can survive without arvs as long as I eat healthy, 3 litres of water per day and 2 bananas everyday. I am starting to feel week and I am working in a stressful environment. Please advise
Hi Tshepi,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, but it’s good that your CD4 count is so high. There’s nothing specific you can do to keep it high. Generally looking after yourself- eating well, exercising and avoiding stress- might help, but almost everybody’s CD4 count will gradually decline until they need treatment. You can read about the average time until starting treatment here.