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 Relan,
If you’re on ARVs then you’re already doing the best thing possible for your HIV. This is because it’s the ARVs that will increase your CD4 count. Other than this, there aren’t any plants that will increase your CD4 count.
Me I have that hiv how can I do adding my cd4 count what kind of herbal plants can I use last june I have that hiv and start arv treatment I want my cd4 up what can I do
Hi Temby,
Your results look good. A CD4 count of 721 is strong. And, as viral load is undetectable, it looks like your ARVs are working well.
Unfortunately we can’t stop taking ARVs once viral load is undetectable. But being on ARVs and undetectable means you don’t need to use condoms because Undetectable = Untransmittable. Please see U=U here.
Hi am Temby
My CD4 count is 721 and undetectable viral load, can I stop ARVs and condomise or abstain?
Hi Ida,
It’s important to see your doctor about your abscess and ask if you need antibiotics for it.
What HIV meds are you taking?
And do you have access to your viral load results? Please let us know.
Im hiv positive and recently had a abcess the burst now im having pain and stiffness my cd4 count in low am i in danger
Hi Sarah,
The pharmacies at Clicks and Spar might supply HIV treatment. However, I’m in the UK and so I don’t know if they do supply ARVs.
But please contact the Treatment Action Campaign. They can help with access to HIV treatment in South Africa.
Hi plz help I heard posibility that we can get HIV treatment at clicks or spar what can I do get it there.
Hi Togu,
I’m sorry to hear your wife is unwell. But treating TB and HIV at the same time can be complex.
It’s important sometimes to treat TB first and get it under control before taking HIV treatment. So it looks like that’s what the doctors are doing. That’s because boosting the immune system with HIV meds without first treating TB can cause inflammation.
Please talk to the doctor about how long it will be before HIV treatment can start. You can also ask about inflammation on starting HIV treatment, it’s called IRIS. Please see this link for info about IRIS.
Hi
My wife has been living with HIV since 2009 and has been on ARVs since then until she unfortunately defaulted early in 2018,in May this year she got sick and was diagnosed with TB her cd4 count was 24 when it was checked,now the doctors are saying she must get used to the TB treatment for at least 3 months before she can go back to ARVs.What else can she use to boost her cd4 count she is coughing and very weak