Aa
More Testing or Quit
In the early to mid nineties (1990's) I had unprotected sex with four women. With six other women I had unprotected oral or protected vaginal sex. I am heterosexual. Somewehere along the way I have contacted herpes. I have been married coming up to ten years now with only one HIV- partner.
My question is this. For the the last year I have had chronic diarrhea. I have been worked up with a colonoscopy and endoscopy, the works. Nothing.
Recently, I have wondered (ruminated constantly) whether I have been exposed to HIV. I recently have had two anti-body tests (July 2006 and August 2006). Both negative. Moreover, in the past years I have been tested for HIV antibody through Red Cross donations. The last (5/06) included an NAT test. I recently had an immunological profile done. My T4 count is 1160 and my T4% is 55%. Both normal.
My question is whether I need any further testing? Is my diarrhea unrelated to my immune system status? Could you look me in the eye and say stop obssesing or does more testing need to be done (like a viral load test).
Thanks for your advice
My question is this. For the the last year I have had chronic diarrhea. I have been worked up with a colonoscopy and endoscopy, the works. Nothing.
Recently, I have wondered (ruminated constantly) whether I have been exposed to HIV. I recently have had two anti-body tests (July 2006 and August 2006). Both negative. Moreover, in the past years I have been tested for HIV antibody through Red Cross donations. The last (5/06) included an NAT test. I recently had an immunological profile done. My T4 count is 1160 and my T4% is 55%. Both normal.
My question is whether I need any further testing? Is my diarrhea unrelated to my immune system status? Could you look me in the eye and say stop obssesing or does more testing need to be done (like a viral load test).
Thanks for your advice
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
That's the definition of a false negative, not a false positive.
With modern testing, it probably never happens, at least not in otherwise outwardly healthy people. In theory, maybe rarely in someone already deathly ill with advanced cancer or other kinds of immunosuppression. That's why I said your test results PROVE you do not have HIV.
Move on, my friend. See the last two sentences of my original reply.
HHH, MD
With modern testing, it probably never happens, at least not in otherwise outwardly healthy people. In theory, maybe rarely in someone already deathly ill with advanced cancer or other kinds of immunosuppression. That's why I said your test results PROVE you do not have HIV.
Move on, my friend. See the last two sentences of my original reply.
HHH, MD
Thanks for the advice.
I think all my question(s) boil down to this-How often, after the window period, is the ELISA test false positive, which I am defining as the presence of virus but the absence of detectable anti-bodies. Please answer if you have time.
I think all my question(s) boil down to this-How often, after the window period, is the ELISA test false positive, which I am defining as the presence of virus but the absence of detectable anti-bodies. Please answer if you have time.
When a doctor does bloodwork for Mono and other things. What would the white blood cell count be if someone where to be HIV positive? Low? High? Something I haven't been able to find out via google.
I am no expert believe me, but there was a discussion about this a while back on Thebody . com and I believe the posts showed that generally WBC count is lowered in acute HIV infection, but that is just my recollection of what was said....
Thanks, I would think that would be the case. hopefully the Doc can shed some light on this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your test results prove you do not have HIV, assuming the last risk exposure was more than 6 weeks before the last test. I cannot venture a guess as to the cause of your diarrhea.
If you think you are obsessing about HIV, you are. And anybody who seeks an CD4 (T4) testing as an immunological profile, despite being HIV negative, surely is obsessing inappropriately. You certainly do not need a viral load or any other repeat HIV test. Rather, it sounds like you need to see a mental health counselor to address your obsession. I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
If you think you are obsessing about HIV, you are. And anybody who seeks an CD4 (T4) testing as an immunological profile, despite being HIV negative, surely is obsessing inappropriately. You certainly do not need a viral load or any other repeat HIV test. Rather, it sounds like you need to see a mental health counselor to address your obsession. I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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