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 Zee,
How long are you going to be without ARVs?
Hi ,last I ran out of ARV’s for the whole week before the date they gave me come & collect others.Is that not going to affect my Cd4 count?
Hi Bercy,
The only thing that can increase a persons CD4 count is ARVs, this is what you need to be taking. If you aren’t using ARVs then your viral load will also be unstable.
I don’t take purbac med my doctor did not order for me but how I can increase my cd4 I work my, exercise eating my diet, sleeping all nights but my viral number are still increasing and I take med what shall I do to increase my cd4
Hi Tee,
Your HIV is under control and your CD4 count is good, therefore you may not need the purbac. However, you’ll need to discuss this with your doctor. This is even if you won’t be at risk of opportunistic infections.
I am taking tribuss and purbac strength I started in November 2019 with the meds.I took another test now in February 2020 my cd4 was 350 now its 570 and my viral load is 50. What will happen if I dont take the purbac strength anymore ? My doctor said it was to prevent opportunistic infections I should take it for at least 7 months
Hi Andy,
Ok, so you’ve had a CD4 count result of 66, when was this done? Also when was the CD4 13 count done? Was this before you started meds? When are you due to have another? What ARVs have you been given, and which country are you being treated in? Though there’s some progression this doesn’t mean that you can’t recover. If you’d prefer me to email you, please let me know.
Hey Lisa I am on antibiotics right now, he had told me that because of how far the disease has progressed the bone marrow could possibly not create new CD4 cells. They did a retest since I had CMV and I’m now at a count of 13, is that normal to drop that rapidly in a week? I’ve taken ARV for four days now.
Thank you so much for your constant support
Hi Yondi,
How are you doing? What would you like to know?
Hi I Found Out Augus Of 2019 That I Am HIVpossitive My CD4count Was 8 And I Had Pnuemonia