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HIV test, CBC numbers
I have a question about HIV in regards to some lab results I had come back. I had sex numerous times with the same person (unknown HIV status) and got tested a little short of 3 months that came back negative. I've been reading on here that 3 months is all good. I'm a little concerned now though as I had a regular checkup and had blood drawn. My results came back with WBC of 3.4 and my bilirubin count was 1.3. All my other tests were normal including all my other liver tests. The doctor didn't seem concerned but said I should get retested for HIV at 6 months given the unknown status of my partner. They drew blood again about a week later and my white count was 5.3. I've read on thebody.com that liver function is affected with early HIV infection. I'm going to get retested as that was the doctor's advice, but since she is not an HIV expert I figured I would ask here. Would my bilirubin count and the low wbc the first time suggest I could be late in seroconverting? She also said wbc can vary on when blood is taken and the low number was in the morning and the higher number was afternoon. Does a persons wbc and bilirubin get affected that quickly after HIV infection and do you think these are just due to normal fluctuations? I'm probably stretching here but I just wanted a second opinion. My labwork was taken about 5 months after my last sexual encounter.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Since your test results prove you don't have HIV, it seems pointless to obsess about the details of how it can and cannot be transmitted. In the scenario you describe, I cannot say the risk of transmission is zero, but it's very low; and no matter how high it might have been, it didn't happen to you.
The "tie between non mucus membrane HIV transmissions and delayed seroconversion" is old news -- at least 20 years old, relating to HIV tests no longer in use.
This thread is over. Let it go.
The "tie between non mucus membrane HIV transmissions and delayed seroconversion" is old news -- at least 20 years old, relating to HIV tests no longer in use.
This thread is over. Let it go.
Last question and I'll leave you be, is there any possible risk for HIV from kissing if I had an open cold sore on my lip? I've never really understood the HIV in saliva thing. And if this was even possible would a test be delayed in coming positive because of how it was transmitted? I read something about a tie between non mucus membrane HIV transmissions and delayed seroconversion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is no 6 month guideline; all HIV experts advise 3 months or less. (Six months goes back to older HIV tests, not used in the past 10-15 years.) Your doc would appear to be out of date. Or s/he was just being ultra-conservative.
Thank you much. Do a lot of general practice doctors just follow the 6 month guideline because it's not their specialty?
I'm confused standard antibody test , I that the combo test?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
In situations where there is concern about HIV, the HIV tests rule over all other factors, as long as enough time has passed for positive results. That means negative HIV test results prove that HIV is absent, regardless of exposure history, symptoms, or -- in cases like yours -- other non-HIV lab test results. The current HIV antibody tests in standard use are 100% reliable by 3 months -- in fact, by 6-8 weeks. (For sure it never takes 6 months.)
You also describe a low risk situation, since it is statistically very unlikely your partner has HIV; and neither slightly low WBC counts nor slighly elevated bilirubin levels are suggestive of HIV. And they do not imply late HIV seroconversion.
WBC counts vary, and a single low-ish result like yours is generally meaningless, especially since a follow-up result was entirely normal. And most minor bilirubin elevations are not serious, especially if other liver function tests are normal. These also are not evidence of any other STD, and they have nothing at all to do with your sexual exposures 5 months back. That's all I can say about those test results; this forum is strictly limited to HIV, which for sure you do not have. Continue to work with your doctor if she so advises or if you remain concerned about it. But please do not worry in the least about HIV.
Regards-- HHH, MD
In situations where there is concern about HIV, the HIV tests rule over all other factors, as long as enough time has passed for positive results. That means negative HIV test results prove that HIV is absent, regardless of exposure history, symptoms, or -- in cases like yours -- other non-HIV lab test results. The current HIV antibody tests in standard use are 100% reliable by 3 months -- in fact, by 6-8 weeks. (For sure it never takes 6 months.)
You also describe a low risk situation, since it is statistically very unlikely your partner has HIV; and neither slightly low WBC counts nor slighly elevated bilirubin levels are suggestive of HIV. And they do not imply late HIV seroconversion.
WBC counts vary, and a single low-ish result like yours is generally meaningless, especially since a follow-up result was entirely normal. And most minor bilirubin elevations are not serious, especially if other liver function tests are normal. These also are not evidence of any other STD, and they have nothing at all to do with your sexual exposures 5 months back. That's all I can say about those test results; this forum is strictly limited to HIV, which for sure you do not have. Continue to work with your doctor if she so advises or if you remain concerned about it. But please do not worry in the least about HIV.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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