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
I’ve been on meds for a long time, and its not doing nothing but going up and down. I need to increase my cd4, what meds can I take
Hi Nosie,
Can I ask why you haven’t started ARVs yet? In most countries it is recommended that people start HIV treatment when their CD4 count is 350 or less. This is to help prevent you catching opportunistic infections. This would be good for both your own health and for your baby.
Taking AZT on its own can prevent mother to child transmission. In a study in Botswana showed that taking AZT reduced the chance of passing your baby to 2.5%. This means that 2.5 babies in 100 where the mother takes AZT will get HIV. Taking ARVs reduces this to 0.4%, which is less than 1 in 200 babies.
AZT is still effective but it is worth thinking about starting treatment both for your own health and your baby. Please follow this link for more information about HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
I found out i was pregnant and my CD4 is 251 i have not started any ARVs but Im on AZT for two weeks now. And i am 5 month pregnant I would like to know is what are the chances of mother to child transmition?
It is good that you are now on treatment. Starting at 14 weeks should be plenty of time for your viral load to be reduced to undetectable. This is the goal so that when you give birth, the risk to your baby from HIV is as small as it can be.
See the guide to HIV and pregnancy for more information.
My cd4 count was 437 then i fall pregnant now is 295.i started treatment around 14 weeks is it safe
Hi Christine,
I am very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. During early infection the CD4 count drops before going back up. It may be that you are in these early stages and your CD4 count will go back up in the next few months. This is explained here: CD4 count as a surrogate marker
What does your doctor say about this CD4 count? In most countries guidelines suggest starting treatment when the CD4 count is 350 or below, has your doctor suggested this?
am hiv positive,30 years my partner tested negative.my cd4 is 288,how possible is it i can have 288 when just 6months ago i was negative
hey, i have a problem here i am 21 and i want to conceive before my cd4 count drops any further now its 471 and i am worried that i may become ill if i get pregnant
Dear Nonks
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy. I can appreciate that receiving an HIV diagnosis in pregnancy can be challenging to deal with at first. You may find it helpful to contact a support group for people living with HIV. Many find it helpful to share experiences of living and coping with being HIV positive and pregnant.
In response to your question, the good news is that nowadays, with access to and good use of ARVs (antiretroviral treatment for HIV), people living with HIV can expect similar life expectancy as those who are HIV negative.
You may find it useful to read our guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health. The guide answers a lot of general questions you may have around HIV and pregnancy.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
You may also find it helpful to contact TAC (Treatment Action Campaign). They will be able to put you in contact with a support group near your area. Their contact details are:
http://www.tac.org.za/community/contact
HI, am currently pregnant and found out am HIv positive within a week of diagnosis I started treatment can i live a long life with my little gal, if i do everything the correct way am just worried