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 Sade, please see this similar question.
Hi Rebecca
I am a HIV/AIDS Trainer in the company that i work for and i would like to know if it is fine for a person who is on ARV’s to be taking Centrum at the same time?
Thanks
I’m really pleased to hear he’s better- thanks for letting me know! Unfortunately some countries have strict rules about when they can prescribe treatment. It’s important that you keep having your CD4 count monitored, so that you can start treatment when your CD4 is around 350. Do let me know if you have any questions in the future!
Hey Rebecca my boyfriend is out of icu u still remember him thankx for asking. The doctor said the medical aid won’t allow to give me treatment if its high so I also cnt afford to pay it cash
It’s important to have these seen to. Does the doctor treating your warts know you are HIV positive?
Hi there, I have not spoken to my HIV doctor, as I am from Malaysia n we only get to meet our doctors once or twice a month. I just got the warts treated, going bk to see my wart-treating doctor tomorrow. I am seriously quite worried as I’ve been seeing bleeding for the past few days.
Hi Neza,
It’s very unusual for a doctor to stop treatment so soon after it is started! Your CD4 count is still high and if it is 450 then guidelines say you don’t need to start treatment yet. It’s unlikely that this will do your health any harm but I would want to know why the doctor started and stopped treatment like this. When is your next appointment?
How is your boyfriend?
Hey Rebecca I went for CD4 count check up it was 325. A week later I went to see a doctor and she started me on Atripla. She did another CD4 count so I started treatment after 2 weeks using it. The doctor said the result are back my cd4 count is 450. I should stop the treatment so I’m scared. What will happen now I have stopped?
Thanks for getting back to me! Have you spoken to your HIV doctor about these warts? It’s important to get these treated. There are lots of different sub-types of HPV. Some of these sub-types are associated with cancers but others are not. You should speak to your doctor about having a test to know which type of HPV is responsible for your warts and to get a clearer idea of the risks involved.
Many people are afraid of being intimate again after an HIV diagnosis. This is completely understandable and hopefully will get better with time. It can help to speak to other positive people, or to a counsellor. Do you have any support right now?
Thanks Rebecca. Actually I was just diagnosed HPV with warts around my anus. I’ve done some read up n it’s pretty scary as they say it can change to anal cancer especially amongst HIV positive people. Right now I’m just hoping the warts go off. I have contracted HIV n HPV through sex, to be honest, I’m in a state where I’m pretty afraid of intimacy right now. Based on your experience, are the warts dangerous? Should I take anal pap?