Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Hello, I am concerned about reinfection with HIV after receiving new lab results. I never had unprotected sex but the head of a penis with semen has pressed against (not inserted) my anus a few times (I was not on medicine at this time). My anus is senstive and gets red and irritated easily (sometimes even bleeds lightly because of excess skin from a previous hemmeroid). Just today I received lab results and my cd4 count was 567 when about ten months ago the results have shown a count of 768 (Viral Load was missing in the lab test results). Should I be concerned about reinfection? Is this the type of CD4 cell drop that's seen with reinfection? I have been positive since the end of 2000 and this took place at the end of 2006. I have been off meds since 2005 (2yrs)
Advertisement
>
Response from Dr. Wohl
It is most likely that the change in the CD4 cell count had nothing to do with re-infection with HIV. This type of decline may be due to the expected progression of HIV, lab variability or the natural variability in this cell count.
Repeating the test and looking to see if the CD4% (the percent of your white cells that are CD4 cells) has changed can help make it clearer if there has been a significant change in your count.
Re-infection can happen and I would bet the type of exposure you decribed presents a risk. Insisting on a condom even if there is no full insertion would be much safer.
DW
Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
E-Mail
Glossary
Response from Dr. Wohl
