[Question #10985] CBC & STDs

18 months ago

Hi Dr,I'm back with another question. previous exposures are as below,

1- Protected Vag. sexwith CSW 2- Protected vag. sex with a girl & unprotected oral (receiving BJ)

On Jan 21 STD tests came -ve (42 days post 1st encounter & only 18 days post 2nd encounter)On Jan 22 i had Unprotected vag. sex with my GF. 2.5 weeks later She had follow symptoms(muscle ache for 1day,red patch on her inner thighs 3*3cm,Sore throat with blocked/runny nose)

18 months ago

My GF went to dermatologist to check the red patch, derma suggested that this might be a reaction from mosquito bite and sent her to hematologist were she did CBC twice

- 1st CBC results RBC L 3.7 (3.9-5.4),Hemoglobin L 11.3(11.5-15.5),Hematocrit L 33.4(35-46), Abs.Eosinophil L 0.0 (0.04-1),WBC 4.8(4-11),Neutrophills%40.8 ,Lymphocytes%51.1,Abs.Neutrophil 2 (2-7.5), Paletelet Ct, 266(150-450)

- 2nd CBC Vit.B12 517(145-569), RBC L 3.79(3.9-5.4), Hemoglibin 11.6(11.5-15.5),Hematocrit L 33.5(35-46), WBC 4.51(4-11), Neutrophils%27, Lymphocytes%65.4 Abs.Neutrophil L 1.22(2-7.5), Paletelet Ct. 278(150-450)

Hematologist suggested anemia and asked GF to test again in 2wks, there is only 3 days difference between both tests and the lymphocyte increased and neutrophils decreased . I read that HIV is one of the causes of neutropenia. I'm worried that i have passes any stds to her.

1- Can these CBC numbers be due to HIV or any other STD ? 2- Is there any correlation between STDs and CBC ?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

18 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. I'm sorry you continue to worry about the encounters you describe. CDC's are non-specific tests which sometimes provide clues to the possibility of infections. Your GF has a tendency towards mild anemia which is common among women. Her low neutrophil count is non-specific and common with any number of common community acquired viral infections. It is not particularly suggestive of HIV. Neutropenia in HIV is a late finding, occurring years after infection, not after just a few weeks. Further, your GF cannot have acquired HIV from you with negative tests.

There are no other STIs which would explain these findings. Please don't worry. EWH

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18 months ago

Hi Dr,

Thank you for your reply,

Can you please bear with me for these anxiety driven questions and i will make everything in my power to move on.

So my Gf had every possible ARS symptom within the ARS time frame 2.5 weeks (Skin Rash ( the red patch o her thighs), Muscle ache and sore throat along with the CBC results. and my HIV tests were -ve only 18 days after the 2nd encounter so they are not conclusive. it's difficult for me to accept that the timing for all those symptoms are coincidental specially the big (3*3cm) red patch that appeared out of no where on her thighs. I feel the urge to wait for 2 more weeks until she does her CBC again is that in anyway logical ? Could you please be a little bit elaborative in your answer so i can fully understand and assess my situation please ?

1- Are these CBC results by any way suggestive of ARS symptoms ?

2- her Neutrophils% is 27% and ANC 1.2 isn't that alarming ?

3- you mentioned her neutrophil count "is not particularly suggestive of HIV." is it usually an indicator for HIV ?

4- If you saw my GF's CBC without any context would you suggest that she does STD Testing ?

5- My GF is on oral contraceptives treatment (for 6 months) as she has an ovarian cyst for more than 2 years could this be related to her CBC results ?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

18 months ago

you are correct- these followups are repetitive and anxiety-driven. My recommendation to you is to get another test- it will be negative. Then you will know that you cannot have given HIV or an STI to your partner since persons with negative tests do not transmit infection. Below are brief responses to your questions:

1- Are these CBC results by any way suggestive of ARS symptoms ?

No, not at all.

2- her Neutrophils% is 27% and ANC 1.2 isn't that alarming ?

Just as her doctor indicated, this is within the range of normal variation. Her next test will likely be normal.

3- you mentioned her neutrophil count "is not particularly suggestive of HIV." is it usually an indicator for HIV ?

No, As I said above, in persons with very advanced HIV (i.e. persons who have been infected for many years), the neutrophil may be low.

4- If you saw my GF's CBC without any context would you suggest that she does STD Testing ?

Absolutely not.

5- My GF is on oral contraceptives treatment (for 6 months) as she has an ovarian cyst for more than 2 years could this be related to her CBC results ?

No.

EWH

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