Will WBC Be High Or Low When Diagnosed With HIV?

Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015

Question: If A person is affected By HIV .. the wbc count should be high or low??

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
WBC COUNT MAY BE LOW, NORMAL OR HIGH!

Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,

Thanks for writing to us!

In a person infected with HIV 1 OR 2 and before or after developing AIDS, his/her TOTAL WBC COUNT could be low, normal or even high, depending on the medicines, related/intercurrent infections, nutritional status etc. like any other normal person!

However, as only CD-4 lymphocytes (majority of lymphocyte population) are selectively targeted and destroyed, the lymphocyte count is generally low especially in untreated or poorly controlled cases of AIDS but not all people with HIV virus in their body!

In these cases also, if the patient is suffering from bacterial pneumonia or abscess, neutrophils will be plenty thereby maintaining the WBC count and if there is bone marrow depression due to medicines, there could be low counts; that's it!

Hope you got the answer; please revert back to me if anymore explanation is required.

Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (27 minutes later)

i took a test on Thursday... my wbc count is 11,700 .. reports says that lecukocyctes for cilinical corelation !! HIV level is 0.23 .. which says Itss non Reactive.. Will it change to reactive in future or it remains same... As I Fear to B exposed to HIV .... And am mentally disturbed bcoz of this fear...!!!

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat it after 6 months; chance is nearly zero!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the feedback!

Therefore, your slightly high WBC is not related to HIV and please don't worry as the HIV report is also non-reactive; you might have some mild infection ....!

It generally takes 3-6 months following exposure to get a positive HIV report; therefore you may opt for a repeat test if necessary, after 3-6 months for confirmation; and you are very sure about the exposure, better consult NACO/HIV associations for some prophylaxis also!

Wishing you good health...

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (26 minutes later)

no i am not sure of exporuse.. as i tried to hav a safety play but inbetween condom torn off.. so i am jus worried of being exposed to virus.. as the hiv history of the person is unknwn...

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
THEN DON'T WORRY; CHANCE IS EXTREMELY LOW!

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

As per your history, your chance of getting infected is as low as any normal person...

Don't worry and hope for positive things and a better life ahead!

all the best!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (57 minutes later)

and wat kind infection i might hav which caused a slight high in wbc... and how can i kwn abt it.. any test regarding it?

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
MINOR INFECTION IN GUT, CHEST, THROAT ETC!

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

There could be some inflammation or infection in the skin, gut, chest, ear/nose/throat etc. or some kind of allergy etc. may rise to slightly high WBC count; see a local physician he might ask for urine/stool examination, chest x-ray etc. to detect it!

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (4 hours later)

thank yu so much... will consult my regular doc...!! ..

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You welcome!

Detailed Answer:
You welcome and wish you a very sound health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (1 hour later)

hy i am passing resdish color urine from morng .. it happened twice !!! ??

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
REDDISH URINE IS IS BAD SIGN!

Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Reddish or reddish brown urine indicates blood in urine or concentrated urine; take plenty of water and get urine routine test; this would say what is wrong...! infection, stone, tumor or injury...!

See you with feedback..........!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (20 minutes later)

yeaah will get it done tommrrow sir... !!! bad sign in sense?? something serious sir??

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It indicates blood which is not normal!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! It indicates blood which is not normal and should not be present in healthy people !

It generally indicates problem (infection, injury, tumor, stone etc) in kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder or urethra!

Thant's it!

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. Raju A.T