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Could One Have HIV And Not Know Because Of Being Asymptomatic?
Question: I know the only reliable way is to test, however I'm asking my question anyway. 2 years ago my ex husband and I got divorced because he cheated on me (with one other female). Lately I was thinking what if I had HIV...no symptoms and nothing out of the ordinary. Over the past two years I have blood taken 4 times (I go every six months for a CBC with differential) due to blood pressure medication and me getting a gastric sleeve about a year ago. I have had no risky encounters over the past two years either. I understand a CBC does not tell you if you have HIV, but would it be an indicator over the past two years. Over the four blood draws my WBC varied from 4.2-6.5 (latest 6.3), lymphocytes 22-29% of WBC.. latest 29%, and all else in normal range. I know I SHOULD get tested and that is the way to know 100% however, I'm just asking at this time if it would show clues after two years. Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
Yes and no...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I suppose you've already done your research and you should at least suspect that testing is required. You can't be sure with ordinary tests. They may be completely normal and still have HIV or they may be indicative of various disorders (for example a mononucleosis syndrome, which is suggestive of HIV among other viral diseases) and be HIV-negative.
Since 2 years have already passed since your last intercourse you can do the simple antibody test. A negative test is 99% certain of negativity.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Regards
Yes and no...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I suppose you've already done your research and you should at least suspect that testing is required. You can't be sure with ordinary tests. They may be completely normal and still have HIV or they may be indicative of various disorders (for example a mononucleosis syndrome, which is suggestive of HIV among other viral diseases) and be HIV-negative.
Since 2 years have already passed since your last intercourse you can do the simple antibody test. A negative test is 99% certain of negativity.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So not one thing would typically be off on a CBC over a 2 year period with 0 other symptoms. No trends of lower WBC or lymphocytes. My ex husband is fine to my knowledge. I understand testing is most accurate but just asking.
Brief Answer:
The CBC would probably be normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In most cases the CBC (complete blood count) would be normal. If a newly acquired HIV caused the primary HIV infection then the CBC would have been abnormal, but nobody could have suspected HIV based on the CBC alone. Changes to the CBC may occur later when an HIV "carrier" develops AIDS and the changes may depend on potential AIDS-related complications or drug-treatment.
Neither HIV nor AIDS (AIDS is the disease, HIV is the virus causing AIDS) can be suspected by looking at the CBC: there won't be low white blood cell counts or anything like that. In order to check the white blood cells in AIDS we have to do a special test to count a special type of cells which is not apparent in the CBC.
So the answer is that in most individuals no sign of HIV would have been found in a CBC. A syndrome of mononucleosis might have raised suspicion for various viral diseases including HIV-infection.
Regards
The CBC would probably be normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In most cases the CBC (complete blood count) would be normal. If a newly acquired HIV caused the primary HIV infection then the CBC would have been abnormal, but nobody could have suspected HIV based on the CBC alone. Changes to the CBC may occur later when an HIV "carrier" develops AIDS and the changes may depend on potential AIDS-related complications or drug-treatment.
Neither HIV nor AIDS (AIDS is the disease, HIV is the virus causing AIDS) can be suspected by looking at the CBC: there won't be low white blood cell counts or anything like that. In order to check the white blood cells in AIDS we have to do a special test to count a special type of cells which is not apparent in the CBC.
So the answer is that in most individuals no sign of HIV would have been found in a CBC. A syndrome of mononucleosis might have raised suspicion for various viral diseases including HIV-infection.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I thought that in HIV positive individuals typically have a trending down lymphocyte count mine has never been abnormal over the past two years since my last encounter. I did ask the ID doctor he said not to worry. I think my last lymphocyte count was about 1900 or something. I know testing is reliable but just asking if CBC shows trends.
Brief Answer:
Your lymphocyte count is fine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Advanced hiv/253657?iL=true" >AIDS is indeed associated with lower lymphocyte counts but this is not your case for many reasons. For example AIDS requires years to develop (not just a couple of years), 1900 lymphocytes are fine (cannot exclude HIV based on that though), other symptoms should occur with advanced AIDS.
Since you've also asked an infectious diseases doctor you should not worry. AIDS is the main subject of infectious diseases doctors training.
I can see that you're very anxious about it, so just do the test to get it off your mind!
Regards
Your lymphocyte count is fine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Advanced hiv/253657?iL=true" >AIDS is indeed associated with lower lymphocyte counts but this is not your case for many reasons. For example AIDS requires years to develop (not just a couple of years), 1900 lymphocytes are fine (cannot exclude HIV based on that though), other symptoms should occur with advanced AIDS.
Since you've also asked an infectious diseases doctor you should not worry. AIDS is the main subject of infectious diseases doctors training.
I can see that you're very anxious about it, so just do the test to get it off your mind!
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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