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 my mum is hiv positive she has been positive for 10years now, she as been on ART but recently she as been having this blister outbreak that turns to sore, she recently started taking gnld product omega 3 along her drugs please how can we manager d situation, thank you.
Hi Zee, without knowing your CD4 count it is difficult to comment. If your CD4 count is below 500 this would be a reason to start treatment – but many countries now use treatment at higher CD4 counts too. You need to ask a doctor about the headache.
Hey der im 26 yrs old woman living with his, I have a 2 year old cute baby,i hv knwn my hiv status for 7yrs. I was married bt nw im divorced, I had ARVs during pregnancy and stopped after delivery. I am curently dating sum guy, the pst few days i hv a headach during sex, is it normal?
Hi Xoli, what does your doctor say about this? Also, what is your weight (and hight) and what weight do you want to be?
Hi, I have been on ARVs for 6 years now bt I’m not gaining any weight is there something wrong with me my CD4 was 500 last time
Hi, We are not doctors but we try to give HIV treatment information for people who are HIV positive.
I don’t know why some people are saying that ARVs are a slowly killing poison, because it’s just not true!
In 2016 the latest ARVs are easier to take, have fewer side effects, and if you stay undetectable you can have a life expectancy that’s the same as if you were HIV negative.
You can find out more about life expectancy from this link to frequently asked questions:
http://i-base.info/qa/?s=life+expectancy
Doctor I want to ask why other people they say ARVs is the slowly killing poison if you started to take that treatment you will die slowly and you will take that treatmet 4 the rest of your life
Hi Lucy. What does your doctor say about breastfeeding. In the UK most women use formula feed even when viral load is undtectable but this isn’t the saame in other countries. Also, your viral load might just be a blip that will go back down again, but your doctor needs to give you this advice.
Hy I was tested hiv positive when I was pregnant in Nov I take ART and my cd4w as 420. I gave birth in Feb and my baby was nag. But now my docter say my viral load is 330 and m breastfeeding. Is my baby and I in danger?
Hi Ntandose – thanks – it is great that you have been doing so well. Without knowing your CD4 count it is not possible to comment directly. A small percentage of people are able to keep a high CD4 count and low viral load for many years, even without treatment. More recent research has moved to the view that in general, treatment is good for nearly everyone, even with a high CD4 count.
It sounds like there is no unrgentcy for you to start treatment, but discussing this option with your doctor is still a good idea, even if you decide that you still want to wait.