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 Shonisani,
It’s great that you’ve started using ARVs. That’s because ARVs are the only way to stop HIV from using CD4 cells to make copies of itself.
But it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and ask if you need antibiotics to help stop other infections.
HIV drugs do not directly increase the CD4 count, but they help make an environment where this can happen. ART enables the CD4 count to increase to higher and safer levels. Please see this page from ART in Pictures.
As Lisa says above, eating a balance diet is good, and keeping mentally and physically active is also good for the long term – plus not smoking.
I started using ARV on the 26 of September 2019 with a CD4 of 3, what else can I use to boost my immune system?
Hi Anonymous,
As long as you’re undetectable, then there’s no risk to your partner. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi its been 9 years taking Treatment of HIV can I still infect my partner?.
Hi Phindile,
ARVs in most countries are free, this is the case in countries in Sub Saharan Africa and in most other places. You’d need to ask your local pharmacy or your consultant as i-base are UK based and meds here are free.
How much are ARV’s at a chemist
Hi Mercy,
Yes, we have to continue taking ART. That’s because ART doesn’t cure HIV but it does keep at such tiny levels that it can’t do much damage to our bodies.
It’s great that your viral load has been undetectable for 3 years and that you have a strong CD4 count.
Please see ART in Pictures. This explains how ART works to keep us healthy.
What if the CD4 is above 500 with steady undetected viral load for over 3 years , should one still continue with taking ART?
Hi Anonymous,
If you are taking HIV treatment (ART) and your viral load is undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV to your partner. Even when you don’t use condoms. U=U on ART is 100% accurate.
Please see more info about Undetectable = Untransmittable here.
What HIV meds are you taking? And please let us know your viral load result.
How accurate it is that when my viral load is low I cannot infect my partner?