Question
How can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
8 January 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, South 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. I was diagnosed with HIV last year may. Started taking my ARV on 1/6/2016. I have been taking my drugs religiously. My CD4 count was 556 but it has dropped to 517 when I tested on November last year. Does it mean the drug isn’t working for me???
Hi Abubakar,
Because your friend is HIV positive and has cervical cancer its important that she is seen by a specialist. This specialist will need to have an expert knowledge in both HIV and cancer.
Before she undergoes any treatment for the cancer her doctor will need to make sure that there won’t be any drug interactions between her ARVs and cancer treatment. This is important.
You mention that your friends CD4 is 146, what was it before she developed cancer?
Its important to be aware that cancer, and caner treatment can suppress a persons immune system. This makes it harder for someone to fight infections. This is more serious when someone has a low CD4 count. CD4’s can also drop when someone is on treatment for cancer. This is why your friend needs to see a specialist.
In response to your question, there is nothing that your friend can do to help her CD4, other than continue to take her ARVs.
Kindly advise me, my friend is HIV positve. She’s been on ARVs for about 6yrs. She has cervical cancer. Her CD4 is 146. How can she boost her CD4 count and undergo chemotherapy /radiotherapy?.
Hi Lungi,
Atenef and atrozia are generic versions of Atripla. Therefore they contain the same ingredients. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Though not common, it is possible that you can have side effects when switching between generics. These should go though within a few weeks.
What’s important is that you’ve been able to access treatment.
Hi I’ve been on ARVs for 8months now,but I moved to another province, now my meds are finished. I didn’t use them for two days because I didn’t know where where the clinic was. Yesterday I went and they gave me atenef tablets but I used to take atrozia. Now last night I use one, but at midnight I felt dizzy and headache. This morning I woke up with a running stomach and vomiting, could it be the different meds?
Hi ananthkumar,
What is it that you need to know?
My wife is HIV positive. My blood is showing negative. I recently got married to her. This is a problem.
Hi Lindiwe,
The first thing you need to do is have your CD4 tested. Because you’ve been living with HIV for 11 years it could be low. If its low, you are at risk of developing opportunist infections.
Its also important that you being meds. This is because the World Health Organisation recommend that everyone who is positive be on meds.
Hi, I was diagnose with HIV in 2005. I don’t know my CD4 count and I’m not talking any treatment. Can you please advice me what to do, because I don’t want to be sick.
Hi Sri,
Your doctor is right in advising you to start ARVs. It is the ARVs that will help your HIV. Trivenz is a generic version of Atripla. It is a very effective HIV drug. For more please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Being scared is normal, but its important to be on meds. For more about starting meds please see our introduction to ART guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting