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 i am hiv and pregnant i am not taking any treatmet and my cd4 is low.am i going to lose my unborn child
I’m sorry but I’m not sure what language your question is in and unfortunately I can not translate it. Please rewrite your question in English if possible.
Kena le dilemo tse pedi jwale ke testile hore ke HIV positive ho tloha ka 2012 december untll hona jwale ka 2013 hakeso tswharwe ke letho ke ya Nona ntho e mmakatsang ke ya hore hake nwe letho keya tsuba keya nwa ke tshaba hoya tliniking jwale hobane hao letho leo nka kaya tlining .Ele hore e bakwa keng ena taba ?
Hi Akshay, as the answer above states the only way to increase your CD4 count is to take ARVs. Is your father taking ARVs?
My father is having hiv but his cd4 counts is only 50 so how to increase naturally but I need fast
There is no evidence that any multivitamin or other treatment- except ARVs- can increase CD4 counts. There is more likely to be a coincidental explanation for this increase. CD4 counts can fluctuate, and in recent infection there can be a natural CD4 count recovery after the initial decline (please see this link for more info).
Can the cd4 count of a positive person increase from 350 to 500 without ARVs, only by taking multi- vitamin supplements 3 to 5 Times a week for two weeks in a month, without exercising or changing their diet?
Hi
Lots of people are HIV positive and by using ARVs can live long healthy lives. It is important to have your CD4 count routinely monitored and to talk to your doctor about when you are likely to need treatment.
It can also help to know other people is the same situation. If you haven;t already done this, perhaps contact a local HIV group who can also help.
i am having hiv 4 past 1 year hw many year will i live
Hi Charity,
A CD4 count of 589 is very good. A ‘normal’ CD4 count for somebody without HIV is between 400-1600, so you are well within this range.
There’s nothing in particular that you can eat or do to maintain your CD4 count. But generally looking after your health, eating well, and avoiding stress are all good for your immune system. Have a look at our guide to lifestyle factors and your health for more information.