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 Sarah,
Are you living with HIV? If you’re living with HIV and you’re taking ARVs, you’re already doing the best thing possible for your immune system.
With the rashes, have you had these looked at? If you’re new to ARVs, these could be a side effect.
Weight gain can happen if you’re taking ARVs, what ARVs are you taking? Do you have a good diet and do you exercise?
How do I boost my immune system and also clear rashes. Am getting too over weight and fat how do I manage it
Hi Princess,
Septrin is an antibiotic, it isn’t an ARV. Are you taking ARVs? If you are, how long have you been taking them for? And what are you taking? The headaches could be related to medication.
Have you discussed this with your doctor?
My Cd4 is 436,I stopped taking septrin almost 4, months now
I have been having constant headaches n general malaise
Help
Hi Thomas,
For me to be able to give you some info I’m going to need to ask you some Q’s.
Are you taking ARVs? If you are, how long have you been taking them for? Do you adhere to your medication?
What is your CD4 count history? What is your viral load?
Hi I m thomas
I’m a HIV positive
Can u please help me out how to increase my cd4 count.
My cd4 count is now 229.
Please help me out to increase cd4 count.
Hi Harriet,
Novatrim is an antibiotic, it’s not an ARV. It’s not used to increase a persons CD4 count, it’s used to help prevent opportunistic infections. For more info please see here: https://www.tabletwise.net/indonesia/novatrim-tablet Have you also been given ARVs? Given that you’re pregnant, it’s important that you also take ARVs.
Hi I’m 20 weeks pregnant, I gmjust found out I hv HIV on the 12 March. I was given pills called Novatrim to increase my cd4 count. But packet says drink 2 every hour. I’m not sure if that’s normal even though they given to me from the clinic please help before I overdose myself. My cd4 count is 239
Hi Dathrine
You need to take both ARVs and Septrin. It is not safe to replace one with the other.
ARVs are antiviral drugs to treat HIV.
Septrin is a combination of two antibiotics that protect you against other infections.
Can one replace ARVs with Septrin (cotrimoxazole)?