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.
If Iam Got Hiv Postive And Imidietly Itake Treatment Will It Get Cured?
Hi Sibongile,
The following South African based organisation will be able to tell you more about this: https://tac.org.za/
Am taking Arvs now am in durban my clinic is in jhb so they about to finish am only going to jhb on the 21st of December can i get them at a pharmacy i only want 14 till the 21st when i go to jhb.
Hi Tee,
What’s your question? Is it about your CD4 count and ARVs?
Am very sho I will get help here
Hi Prasad,
Is your viral load undetectable on ART? If so it looks like the treatment is working very well. CD4 counts go up and down, even in a single day. And 550 is in the normal range for someone who is HIV negative.
Although generally a higher CD4 is good, an HIV negative person with a normal CD4 count of 1200 is not more healthy than someone whose normal count is 400.
And there’s no evidence that noni juice increases CD4 count. However, eating a healthy balanced diet is good for everyone. Whether you’re HIV positive or negative.
Here’s the guide to a balanced diet and your health.
I have been on ART since march 2011 i am worried, because my cd4 count dropped from 675 to 550 in three years. Is noni juice increases cd4 count?
Hi Kean,
I wonder why you have stopped treatment. Is it because of side effects? Perhaps there are other things happening in your life that are not easy to cope with. Or is it difficult to access treatment where you live?
There are many reasons why someone may stop treatment. But generally it’s not a good idea. It’s not easy to say how long people will live because many things depend on this. But if you don’t stay on treatment your CD4 count will drop. And that increases the risk of infections. Please see this similar question here.
hi I was diagnose 3 years before to be hive positive amd my cd4 is 190 and i take the hiv treatment for only 6 months and I stop taking of hiv treatment untill now. if I still not take the medecine how long I can still live.thanks hoping for the answer verry soon..
Hi Paul,
What were your Q’s? If they were related to testing or transmission we don’t answer these.