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Monocytes & acute HIV
Can a high count of monocytes be an indicator of acute HIV infection?
I had possible exposure on 10/20/12. I feel it could have been worse as in riskier, but too risky for me and very stupid -- mostly oral sex, but a brief anal intercourse encounter where I was bottom and there was no condom. That part lasted maybe 1.5 minutes and I made him pull out, I was petrified it went that far when I told him I didn't want to do that beforehand. He came outside of me, but of course I am worried anyway. I have vowed celibacy until love or "marriage" since. I have kept my promise and intend to do so regardless of the outcome of my status.
I went to my family doctor later that week, and she ordered me 2 tests (full STD and HIV). I had the first HIV lab test perfomed on 11/08/12 (~ 3 weeks after), and the results were negative. I will take the next test later in January.
On 12/26/12, I went to the Dr with severe flu-like symptoms, and after some lab work, my Dr told me it came out negative for mono, but my monocytes were high and he still believes it's mono. I am still afraid it's HIV because it's just a scary thing, especially because I keep reading about sever flu-like symptoms being a symptom of acute HIV. I've read so far that 9 weeks is too far from exposure (another MedHelp posting) to show acute symptoms, but I handled the timing of my first test slightly different than the original submitter.
Now, I am googling all over the place to see if a high monocyte WBC are an indicator of HIV infection; but so far most of the research is telling me no it's not. Rather a high lymphocyte count would be an indicator. While I am getting some fantastic information and education, I can't find my exact question on the Internet, so I figured I'd go ahead and post my question in this little firendly submission box.
Thanks in advance for your advice and for all the good work you all do.
Best,
Joe
I had possible exposure on 10/20/12. I feel it could have been worse as in riskier, but too risky for me and very stupid -- mostly oral sex, but a brief anal intercourse encounter where I was bottom and there was no condom. That part lasted maybe 1.5 minutes and I made him pull out, I was petrified it went that far when I told him I didn't want to do that beforehand. He came outside of me, but of course I am worried anyway. I have vowed celibacy until love or "marriage" since. I have kept my promise and intend to do so regardless of the outcome of my status.
I went to my family doctor later that week, and she ordered me 2 tests (full STD and HIV). I had the first HIV lab test perfomed on 11/08/12 (~ 3 weeks after), and the results were negative. I will take the next test later in January.
On 12/26/12, I went to the Dr with severe flu-like symptoms, and after some lab work, my Dr told me it came out negative for mono, but my monocytes were high and he still believes it's mono. I am still afraid it's HIV because it's just a scary thing, especially because I keep reading about sever flu-like symptoms being a symptom of acute HIV. I've read so far that 9 weeks is too far from exposure (another MedHelp posting) to show acute symptoms, but I handled the timing of my first test slightly different than the original submitter.
Now, I am googling all over the place to see if a high monocyte WBC are an indicator of HIV infection; but so far most of the research is telling me no it's not. Rather a high lymphocyte count would be an indicator. While I am getting some fantastic information and education, I can't find my exact question on the Internet, so I figured I'd go ahead and post my question in this little firendly submission box.
Thanks in advance for your advice and for all the good work you all do.
Best,
Joe
Thanks, joggen. So is it fair to say I am comparing two disimilar findings here? The fact the dr suspected mono resurfaced my whole issue with this last encounter. I plan to take the test again in approximately 3 weeks to make the 3 month test marker.
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