Question
How can my CD4 count increase and I am not on treatment?
9 March 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
I just found out that I’m HIV positive during my pregnancy but my husband is negative. The first time I took test for my CD4 count they were 671 after a week I took the other one they came back 697 and mind you at that time I was not on a medication up until now as I’m waiting for the medical aid to send me the medication in the next coming 3 days. I just need a clarity on that how possible is that my cd4 count to increase if I’m not on medication.
Answer
I can understand that you are puzzled by the slight increase in your CD4 count, even though you have not started your treatment.
It is normal for CD4 counts to fluctuate. The fluctuation could be a result of many things such as the time of the day, exercise, how tired or stress you are and whether you have other infections like a cold or the flu.
The only way for you to increase your CD4 count is by starting treatment. There are no other products such as vitamins, supplement or herbal remedies, which can help to increase your CD4 count.
HIV medication works by stopping the virus from replicating itself. Once the viral load has been reduced (to less than 50 copies), then your CD4 count will start to rise again, but not normally to the level before infection.
Staying healthy by eating a nutritious balanced diet, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking can help to reduce stress levels. All of these can help to maintain a healthy immune system. This will not necessarily increase your CD4 count but it can help to maintain it.
There are a few factors that you need to know before starting treatment. I include a link for you on starting treatment:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting
Please take your time reading it and you have any further queries, do write back to me.
Can I ask, whether you are receiving prenatal treatment at the moment? If you do not have any, perhaps you can try contacting your local hospital for assistance.
It is important for the members of the health care team to have specialist experience with HIV positive women. They can give you the extra support throughout your pregnancy.
For more information on HIV and pregnancy, please follow this link to our guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health
Hi Buja,
Did he say what the infection was? And what medication are you on?
I’m taking arvs since January 2017.For the last 4days I felt pain on my right side of my lower abdomen.Today I want to see the doctor.He examined my urine and said I have infection on my kidney.I’m so stressed .Will this this harm my health.Please help
Hi Timo,
If you’ve had one positive test and one negative test you should make sure you have another test to confirm your status.
i went to hospital six month back they say am positive but I went last month and they say am negative pls help me and answer my question
Are you on treatment? Also, do you know your vrial load if this is tested.
CD4 counts sometimes tkae a while to increase gradually, but without more infomration it is difficult to comment.
Whether or not you used a condom doesn’t affect your CD4 count, but being stressed might – so only do things that you are happy to do.
If your partner doesn’t know you are HIV positive, this is likely to be really stressful. Is there anyone you can talk to about your situation?
I don’t know your situation but you have to feel supported in your life.
If your viral load is undetectable on treatment, then your partner is not at risk, but fiding a way to talk to someone about this sounds important.
I’m stressed cz I’m nt using a condom and my cd4 is not growing up. I’m scared to tell my partner about my status pls help.
Hi Rebecca
It is important to contact your HIV doctor or clinic so that they can manage your care during the pregnancy. This is involves starting HIV meds called ARVs.
These medicines are very safe both for you and your baby.
They will help your CD4 count become stronger, which is important for your baby.
They will also protect the baby from HIV by dramatically reducing this risk.