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 read that HIV is no longer a deadly disease. Is this true? How long can a HIV person stay healthy with medication?
Hi.
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I hope you are doing okay coming to terms with this. Also, that you are getting the support you need to help.
Your CD4 count is still good, but your doctor will recommended HIV meds if it goes down much lower. Using HIV meds when you need them is the only way to increase your CD4 count.
These other questions may help.
http://i-base.info/qa/cd4-faqs
It is also good to make lifestyle changes that are healthier. Eating a balanced diet, keeping physically and mentally active, not smoking, sleeping well and looking after yourself to reduce stress are all good things though – and they may also make you happier.
Hi, in July I found out that I am HIV positive. Then last week I checked my CD4 count and it is 427. All i want to know is if there a way i can increase my CD4 count?
Hi Thapelo,
Please note that we are not doctors. Advocates at i-Base do not have formal medical training and all information provided should be used to inform conversations with your doctor.
In the UK ARVs are usually recommended to everybody with a CD4 count of 350 or below. When your CD4 count is higher than this treatment is only recommended in certain circumstances- like to prevent passing HIV to sexual partners, or in pregnancy. This means that if your boyfriend was in the UK it’s unlikely he would be asked to start treatment unless he wanted to do so.
There are no medications or so-called ‘immune boosters’ (which are usually just vitamin supplements and have no effect on HIV) which will help increase or maintain his CD4 count. Eating a healthy diet and generally looking after himself might help, but his CD4 count is likely to decrease over time.
It is important for you to use condoms everytime you have sex to prevent you from being infected. Using ‘withdrawal’ – where he comes outside of you – is not an effective way to prevent transmission.
It’s important that his doctor knows that your boyfriend is epileptic. S/he will need to check when your boyfriend starts treatment that there are no interactions between his HIV meds and any treatment he takes for epilepsy. Starting treatment won’t necessarily make the seizures worse but it’s important that the doctor knows about this so he can get the best treatment possible.
Good Day,My boyfrend is HIV Pos and last week he went
For First time check up, I assume that its been more than 5 years he has it.
He found out that he’s CD 4count is 495, I was wondering if its possible
For him to raise his cd4count by just taking healthy food and immuneboosters.He seasures(epileptic) sometimes which start 3 years back and he 32yyrs old!I’m scared that once he start with the pills the after eefect wwill make his situation(seasures) to be much worse.I’m negative n we used
To sometimes not condomise but he will come outside n wen I do regular test
They come back negative…..advise him that we can’t no more since he’s cd
Is getting low n that might happen that his viral load is also not good n it will
Be easy for me to contract the desease.is it urgent for him to start taking
Pills DR. Or not?
As the question above says there are no supplements or other medications that can boost your CD4 count. Only ARVs can do this. ‘Immune boosters’ are not HIV treatments.
Iam leaving with HIV for almost thirteen years. I want to use an immune booster . Which is the right 1 ?
Hi Javier,
I am sorry to hear about your nephew’s recent diagnosis. HIV treatment is very effective though and so long as he gets treatment when he needs to your nephew should be able to live a long and healthy life. For more information about HIV treatment please see our introduction to combination therapy guide.
hi we just found out my nephew has hiv hes only 25 and we are devastated but we don’t now the stage yet but if its on three can treatment keep him with us for a long time.
Hi Florence, I am not sure if I understand your question. Eating nothing but fruit is not good for your health- it is important to have a balanced diet. There is information about a balanced diet at this page. Depending on which medication you are taking this could affect your HIV treatment as some ARVs need to be taken with a minimum number of calories. I am not familiar with water therapy so I can not comment on how this could affect your HIV treatment. It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor or healthcare worker for further information.