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 Patricia,
It’s really great that your viral load is undetectable at less than 50 copies/mL. Being undetectable means that you can start making babies! That’s because there’s zero risk of HIV to your partner when you don’t use condoms.
Please see more info about Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) here.
And here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Can you ask at the clinic about physical support groups in Lagos? They might be able to give you a contact.
Thanks for your comments about this forum. I’m glad it’s been a help.
Hello,
I am 34 years old and my viral load is less than 20 copies/ml. I want to start making babies so first of all, I really need to know if I can have unprotected sex now without infecting my spouse.
Secondly, I would like to join a physical support group here in Lagos, Nigeria. I have tried to find one to no avail. If anyone has helpful information, kindly share please.
Thank you very much for this forum. I have been greatly helped by reading other people’s concerns and the responses they got.
Hi Jim,
Though your CD4 count may still be low, you’re actaully doing really well. Unlike a viral load that drops really fast, CD4 counts take much longer to rise. With time it will get higher, though it’s not possible to say by how much.
Your viral load being undetectable is fantastic.
My viral load is undetectable, but my cd4 count is 108 , it’s been 4 months , when I was diagnosed my cd4 count was 26 should I be concerned?
Hi Jon,
It looks like your CD4 count is 247. But what is your HIV viral load?
Viraday is a generic version of Atripla. This should help dramatically reduce your viral load. And it means that your CD4 count can recover to higher levels.
Do you mean Truvada? Truvada is different from Viraday because it only contains two anti-HIV drugs (ARVs). To treat HIV you need to take three (or more) ARVs. Viraday contains efavirenz, tenofovir DF and FTC.
As per 16 July 2019 my report
Absolute lymphocyte count 1344cells/up
Cd3 lymphocyte 998cells/up
Cd4 lymphocyte 247
Cd8 lymphocyte 692 cells/up
Cd4/cd8 ration is 0.36
This is my first test result.an am on medication taking Viraday
After how long do I can take another test.its been two months.since I tested.
And please suggest what best so far I don’t have any sickness. Some suggest me to go for turveda then Viraday. Are they difference?
Hi Debabrata,
As long as your viral load is less than 50copies, there’s no risk of transmission. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ And the following: http://i-base.info/qa/15254
Hi, I am 32 years old last two years six months (approximately) I am HIV positive and my be after 6 months I started ART treatment, that means last two years I am taking ART and now my cd4 count is 440 and my viral load is PVL-L20 (1.30).Now my question is I HIV positive and my wife is negative, and we don’t have any kids, is any chances to get baby..and what kind problems we have to face..and is any chances to my wife get hiv positive..please explain me..Thanks..
Hi Jacqueline,
What does your doctor say about this? And do you have access to your latest viral load results?
It looks like your doctor switched you to Triumeq because Atripla wasn’t working. The good thing is that Triumeq can reduce viral load dramtically when you start to take it. After five months of Triumeq your viral load can be back to undetectable.
Please talk to your doctor and ask for your latest viral load result.
Triumeq contains different class of drugs from Atripla. So if there was drug resistance to Atripla, switching to Triumeq can mean your HIV treatment will work well again.
Why is my viral load fluctuating. It was undetectable in 2018 n now in 2019 February it went to almost 50,000 copies n my cd4 cells went to 150 copies. What went wrong. I used Atripla n i became very sick. So now am on Triumeq. What do i do to stabilize.