Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 583: Friend Needs to Boost the Immune System

Dear Pozzie,

I would like to ask for the best possible way to increase the CD4 count of my friend. We have received his results yesterday and his CD4 count is 28.

He also have a Diarrhea,Hepatitis and Pneumonia. Can you give us the quickest way to boost his CD4?

Thank you fro the immediate reply.

Regards,

XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for sharing your concern about your friend with us.

First and foremost, for him to recover fast, he has to address all his other infections together with HIV. He has to recover from his other infections while his immune is recovering. Always remember that HIV replicates with the presence of infections so he needs to address his other infections first before he can boost up his immune system. Even with ARV's, he needs to take his other meds to ensure that his infections are properly getting treated. Once all his other infections are treated, his immune system can then recover fast with the help of ARV's.

The keys to boost his immune system are:

1. Don't Get sick

2. Be adherent to the ARVs

3. Have a well balanced diet

4. Don't be stressed

5. Exercise regularly

6. Sleep at least 8 hours a day

7. Have a positive outlook with life

8. Stay happy.

You can find the other techniques of boosting one's immune system through these blog entries:

1. Boost Your Own Immune System

2. Don't get Sick!