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 Cherry- I have answered your question here.
Hi Im a 5 months pregnant and have just tested HIV positive with a CD4 count of 127.
I have never been sick. I have started taking Nevaripine to protect the baby.
Is it necessary/ urgent for me to start taking ARVs or can I increase my CD4 count by other means?
Please help. I am scared I will have to take the pills for the rest of my life if I start now! *confused*
Hi Zelle,
CD4 counts are usually used to check the health of people with HIV. Your cousin would need to be tested for HIV to be sure of his status. Is he receiving any treatment?
Hi
My cousin recently got very sick. my parents as well as his are relatively old and very naive. The doctor just told them that his CD4 count is very low but his blood is clean. Can we safely assume he is HIV positive. he can,t eat and lost almost half his body weight in one month.
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. A CD4 count of 520 is very good and shows that your immune system is working well.
There are no herbal medications that will increase your CD4 count.
If you are loosing weight without trying please speak to your doctor about this. With a CD4 count this high you shouldn’t be loosing weight so this may be a sign of a different infection.
Hi
I am 24yrs old just tested positeve for HIV with CD4 of 520. I started by loosing weight and flu attack. Can I use herbal medication to increase my CD4 and what can I use to at least gain some weight to normal condition?
As a general rule, most people put on weight when they start treatment – perhaps with a weight gain of 5-10%. This is due to your body having to work really hard to fight the infection before when your viral load is still high. There’s more information at this previous question.
I’m on Tribuss started it recently,does it make u gain weight?
Hi Lusanda, there are lots of women in a similar situation. Please have a look at our FAQs page about this. If you have any questions after reading these please let me know!
Hi
I am HIV Negative but my baby’s father is HIV Positive our child is now 6 years old. I tested again this year in March and I was still Negative but we sometimes have unprotected sex. I would like to know how is that possible? Sometimes I get worried that I will die without getting help because I cant be given treatement if my results are negative. Please help!