[Question #10113] HIV Worry
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25 months ago
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Hey there , in the past I used to have sex with escorts every now and then and it was always protected . Recently I am in a committed monogamous relationship with a girl with whom I have unprotected sex nowadays . Was never worried about hiv since I was always using protection but before I was inthis relationship I took a cbc which showed high monocytes low lymphocytes . My doctor didn’t even comment on that and said my blood results were perfect . What made me worry for hiv is after I got in the relationship my girlfriend also had a cbc twice and in both her cbc monocytes were high and lymphocytes low. I googled it and everywhere said that high mono low lympho is due to hiv … could this be coincidental … why my cbc before entering the relationship and hers after she was with me was the same . Could it be hiv and I infected her without me knowing ?? Stressing a lot about this
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. Congratulations on your past practice of safe, condom protected sex.
You are paying too much attention to non-specific laboratory changes. The numbers and relative proportions of lymphocytes and monocytes in the blood fluctuate randomly throughout the day and from day to day. The so-called normal range of values for these measures is non-specific and many people's values will be above or below them. Even when such values are abnormal reflecting an infection or other process, the values are non-specific and do not typically suggest one kind of problem or another. The chances you have HIV from what you say are vanishingly low and not something to worry about.
Given your concern, as well as the fact that you are in a new ongoing relationship, I would suggest that you might suggest that you and your partner go together and get tested for STIs, including HIV. This is not to suggest that either or you should worry about each other but since STIs can, on occasion be present without signs or symptoms, for both persons to have negative test can provide a level of confidence and assurance as your relationship moves forward. Testing of this sort is a sign of respect and trust, as ell as a confidence builder.
I hope this perspective is helpful. Please don't worry. EWH
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25 months ago
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Hi doctor,
Thanks for the prompt reply .
Your answer really calmed me down .
Planning on getting tested tomorrow , just wanted to know what to expect in the meantime .
The only follow up question I have is regarding the values , could it be coincidental that my blood test before the relationship and hers after have the same result, a bit high mono and a bit low lympho?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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Given the fact that you both are apparently asymptomatic, I would anticipate that the similarity in your monocyte and lymphocyte proportions is coincidental. I would not worry about it. EWH.---
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25 months ago
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We have been in this relationship for a year now . What if in the past I experienced ars and didn’t notice , and my girlfriend was just asymptomatic ?? Is this an extreme scenario ?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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Thanks for the additional information. I thought this relationship had started more recently than that. Overall however, the likelihood/risk for HIV remains quite low, based on the information you have provided. You mentioned that you plan to get tested tomorrow. When you do and get the negative results that I am confident you will get, I would then put my concerns aside and move forward.
As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client's questions. This is my 3rd response and therefore this thread will be closed shortly without further replies. Please don't worry. EWH
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