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, thanks for your comments. Just to let you know we are treatment advocates, not doctors. We don’t have any formal medical training.
I’m glad to hear your counts are still nice and high. Can I ask if the abstinence is by choice? Being HIV positive shouldn’t stop you having sex (with a condom) if you want to!
I’d just like to thank you doctor for your replies, I was diagnosed earlier this year n so far have got only 2 readings: 470 n 428. I’ll keep exercising n keep living n be abstinent. Thanks for being here for all of us. :)
I have replied to your questions here at a new question.
My CD4 count is 300 and above, can I get married or build a relationship?
Hi Kosgei,
Smoking is not good for your health, but is unlikely to have a direct impact on your CD4 count.
With a CD4 count of 241 it’s important to think about starting ARVs soon. This isn’t urgent but when your CD4 count is under 350 you are at higher risk of opportunistic infections. While it is above 200 the risk is lower, but still important. Has your doctor suggested when you will start treatment?
There is no proof that traditional herbs help HIV treatment. It is possible that these may interact with any treatments your doctor give you. Therefore it’s important to check with your doctor before taking any traditional treatments.
Found out on 14 sept 12 that am +, I smoke n don’t drink, haven’t been admited b4, my cd4 count 241, doctor didn’t recommed ARVs but prescribed multivitamins and septrin. My worries is can smoking reduce the counts any further? There are traditional herbs would you recommend I use it 4 some few month b4 taking another test. Am kenyan, thanx
This set of CD4 count results would be seen as steady. It is a good example of the normal range of fluctuation that is likely to be seen with normal day to day changes, so similar differences would also be expected over several months. Even if the trend is slightly going down, you can see the actual counts go both up and down. This differences do not related to any real change in your friends immune system. I don’t understand your final sentence.
My friend tested postive 2010 and her cd4 count was 465 ,349,364,420 and is not steady last month it was 384
it is so strange bcoz everytime the doctor suggest she must take medicine the cd4 count is getting high,What can u suggest she must do. She is not smoking,drinking.And she does not have a boyfriend but she is saved.
Hi
Thanks for your comment. So far, you have been very lucky to go this long without treatment without becoming ill.
Although a CD4 of 266 is still not bad, this is a good time to get back into health care. South African guidelines now recommend starting treatment after your CD4 count is below 350.
We are a UK-based project, but South Africa has many public hospitals and health clinics with expertise in looking after HIV. The clinic or doctor you chose may also be able to help with counselling if you are still having trouble coming to terms with being HIV positive.
Whether you tell your family and friends is up to you. Often life becomes much easier if you have someone to talk to. But there is no reason that people need to know before you start treatment if you are not ready to tell them, but your health shows that treatment is important. Sometimes the process of starting treatment helps people become strong enough to have these conversions with friends.
However well you eat, exercise and reduce stress, your CD4 count will continue to go down. The only proven way to keep it from dropping further and to increase higher again is to start ARV treatment. Over two million people in South Africa are now living long and full lives again since access to ARVs became more widely available.
You are not the only person dealing with this and so it is sad to hear you are keeping this to yourself and not benefiting from the new treatments.
Am a 32 year old female, I found out that I am positive 9 years ago, but nvr had any sickness or problems with my health, I have no symptoms or lymp or anythn showing. It is few days ago I had to do CD4 count for my life insurance, they say it came 266 and I never saw the results, my doctors dnt knw abt my status. I never understood it till I read this website I googled. I never took any supplements or treatment. And this few days I have known my results, I can’t sleep. I dnt want treatment now, atleast before my family and friends knows. I eat well, exersize, no stress. Should I go and do cd4 count again? And How do I increase my cd4 count without taking medication? Am in South Africa?