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 Zana, if you are HIV positive, then to lead a normal life span you need to use ARV treatment. This is what the medicine is for. Without ARVs the vrus will progress and you will be come sick.
Hey I have a question, is it possible that I can live a normal life by not taking ARVs ?
Hi Zee, without more details it is difficult to comment. For example a rough idea of how big the changes are is important. Unexplained weight loss of more than 5% of your weight over 6 months (or 10% over a year) is serious enough for a doctor to try to explain this. If your current doctor doesn’t help and you have the chance of a second-opinion, this might be good. How is your sister’s CD4 count and viral load?
Hi Simon I need assistance one of my family members has Hiv and they’ve been on medication for a couple of years however this year her weight gain has been up and down over the past few months. The doctors at the local clinic hardly do any check ups except give out the same medication. What do you think could be the cause of major weight loss? Must she be more cautious of her diet and also take supplements or suggest a change of hospitals?
Hi James, thanks for adding your comments. You are right that ART is now recommended at all CD4 counts, even when above 500. There are also additional potential benefits if you were very recently infected (ie within the last 6 months). It is good to hear you are doing so well.
Some people says that you can start ART when your CD4 less than 500 but thats totally wrong. Once you are infected you can directly start ART even if it is a recent infection two months ago. It could be that you have some health problems if you dont start meds and keep going. I have now been living 10 years with ART and the new meds are amazing. Small pills and good no side effects. Very light and easy.
Health problems when you have not using ART could be blood clotting or change in heart beat rate, sweating, not sleeping and many other issues you can have during first days of HIV if you don’t use ART.
Hi Joseph, what does your doctor say about this?
The doctor needs to take the boils seriously. I wondered whether taking a baby aspirin dose on the day when you give blood might help. I am not a doctor but this would slightly thin your blood.
The clotting might be related to other things though so please check with your doctor whether or not this might be a good idea.
i am hiv + so i hv this problem of developing boils and my blood get clotted wen i get my blood test results from clinic as i do quiet often.so is the anyting dat can better or help myself with
Hi Racily, I am not sure how to help here. Your boyfriend needs to decide this for himself – even though this would be good for him. Perhaps the best way is to just be a good example of how you cope with HIV in terms of your own clinic visits and use of treatment if you using this yet. Focus on your own help and perhaps he might change over time. Other people writing to this website have suggested not having sex with partners until they test. I don’t have evidence for whether this works or not :)
Hi i realised in 2013 that am hiv positive, so i used to talk with my boyfriend about my status so he refused in the beginning to go with me for counselling until now. So how can i encourage him to also go for hiv test?