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.
my cd4 was 131 when i was diagnosed last november. How quickly does my cd4 increase on treatment?
Hi,
Cabbage juice does not increase CD4 count. The only way to do this is to take HIV treatment.
Are there other ways of increasing CD4 count. Someone told me juice of cabbages does?
Hi,
Thank you for you enquiry.
It is good that you have started treatment. This means your viral load should quickly drop. Your viral load shows how much virus is in your blood. This means that your CD4 count should slowly rise. You CD4 count shows how your immune system is doing.
Hi, Past 6 years am affected with HIV and 3 months before only I confirmed my +ve . 3 months before My CD4 level is just 45. and I started my HIV meds. Am worried lot, can I increase my CD4 level?
Hi Daniel,
I am afraid there is no way to become HIV negative. There is no cure yet for HIV. However treatment works very well today. Someone with HIV who is on effective treatment can live as long as someone who does not have HIV.
What can i do to boost my immune system so that when HIV test is conducted, the result can read negative. I am HIV Positive but need a negative result. I am on ART since August last year.
Hi Nangalama
It is not clear from your question whether your clinic have said you can use ARVs or whether they have asked you to wait.
Guidelines are different in different countries. In the UK, guidelines recommend starting ARVs when the CD4 count is about 350.
Talk to your doctor about what the guidelines say in your country. If this is 350 and you can’t get treated earlier, then continue with CD4 monitoring.
It is likely that you may start when you get your next CD4 count. You will still get a very good response to treatment when you do start.
Some guidelines allow people to start treatment at higher CD4 count is the person says they want to reduce of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner.
I am on septrin currently and my CD4 is 401. They told me to join ARVs but am worried. Can’t i use them?
Hi Keith,
Your CD4 drop is not necessarily anything to be worried about. Fluctuation in CD4 is normal and can be cause by a variety of things. This includes what time of day the test is taken to if you have other infections or illnesses. It can be help full to get another test to confirm your CD4 result.
Do you know what your viral load is? If it is undetectable it means that the CD4 drop will not be due to drug resistance.