Are Persistent Diarrhea And Unexplained Weight-loss Symptoms Of HIV Infection?

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2015

Question: Please help me and guide me. I had an unprotected sex with my girl friend in Nov, 2005. At that time I didn’t thought about HIV and didn’t went for testing. And I even don’t remember now whether I got any primary acute symptoms. Later after two years I developed whole severe skin irritation, seborrheic dermatitis, arthralgia, myalgia and red-pus filled blisters on my trunk and my nails are detached from nail bed, where all these symptoms persist till today. This year I lost 10 pounds weight and had persistent diarrhoea. I am going into a new relation and have family, for the first time I went for antibody testing, In January 2014 my first HIV1/2 (ICMA) western blot was non-reactive, and I took HIV-1 RNA (Qualitative, detection limit 2000 copies) Non-reactive. And then in July, 2014, I took HIV1/2 rapid antibody test, which was non-reactive. And in August, 2014, I took 4th generation HIV screen with reflexes which was non-reactive. My absolute CD4 count was 690 and CD4% was 29. Please suggest me whether am I free from HIV. Can I proceed for making family? Is any further specific testing is required. I check for autoimmune disorders also, and all were negative. Why these symptoms. Please help me. If any specific testing is required please advise me. All these symptoms are showing as stage 2 of HIV according to WHO guidelines.

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Evaluation needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.

I would suggest you to remove the fear of HIV from your mind. I would reassure you that it is impossible that you have HIV and I would suggest you not to relate the symptoms you are suffered with HIV. Tests too prove the same. I would recommend you no further testing for HIV infection. Yes you can happily get married. As far as symptoms are concerned as you told that you had no autoimmune disorder. I would suggest you to get complete haemogram, urinalysis, blood sugar, LFT and KFT. Follow up with reports. Visit a dermatologist for proper evaluation of lesion. Get stool routine examination and culture sensitivity testing. I would suggest you to get special staining test done for enteric parasites like Kinyoun and Trichome staining. Also get evaluation done by gastroenterologist for inflammatory bowel disease like crohns or ulcerative colitis. Do not worry proper evaluation we can get to the diagnosis. You must not take stress and try to develop immunity by brisk walk, exercise and meditation. Eat protein rich balanced diet with multivitamins and calcium supplements. Drink plenty of water daily. Keep optimistic appraisers.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sheetal Verma (16 hours later)

Thank you for reply. Well my further my CD8 40% and CD8 T-cell absolute 880 (normal range of CD8% is 11-38 and CD8 T-cell absolute is 100-800)..which were higher. As here doctors have done bunch of tests all you have mentioned above, GI, colonoscopy, all rheumatoid conditions, melanomas, they didnt left with any disease examination. All was tested.

Since six months i am having on and half, neck stiffness, upper shoulder pain which was very hard, extreme scalp irritation, finger nail irritation, after that unprotected exposure i have got erectile dysfunction, my testosterone level was below normal 297 units (normal 300) vitamin D 23 (normal 30). All the dermatologist pose question that whether am I HIV positive, yes last year on my upper back I got Pruritic papular eruption, the dermatologist said which were not common in people, they see only in immunodeficiency people.

Please advise, And all my symptoms were refering to stage 2 HIV accord to WHO guidelines.

In addition to above i have got Pitted Keratolysis on my lower foot palm.

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Proper evaluation needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

My answer is still the same you are not having HIV infection. But yes some immunological components are abnormal which point towards weakened immunity. I would suggest you to visit immunologist and get evaluation done for secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Bone marrow biopsy may be beneficial. Get biomarkers checked to see if any chronic fungal infection.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sheetal Verma (35 hours later)

I am sorry to trouble you a lot. As today I visited dermatologist, doctor said I have HPV (as I am geting warts) and Molluscum Contagiosum. As there coming and going. As I am going through internet these consider as STD's.

Can you suggest me what I should do. As Next week, I am going to meet my primary care physician. can you specify any tests, and any advanced tests for HIV also.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
See detailed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Even HPV and molluscum weakens person's immunity. You must take proper treatment. Topical application of various medications like immiquimod, radiation therapy, surgery are useful for molluscum.molluscum contagiosum which is generally self-limiteting and heals spontaneously after several months.The treatment of most HPV infections can be done by surgical excision, chemical ablation, and cryotherapy. Mojority of patients with warts require multiple treatments over a course of several weeks or months.
As far as HIV is concerned the best diagnostic methods with 100% sensitivity are 4 th generation ELISA test and PCR test. You have already taken both these tests and you need not worry as they are most advanced tests available.

Do not hesitate to ask any query.
Dr Sheetal Verma

Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar