HIV not from sex?

Guest over a year ago

I have been dealing with some health issues for the past 4 months and am concerned that they might be caused by HIV. However, I do not have much reason to believe I could have contracted it as I have NEVER had sex. I am worried because I caught a parasite infection commonly linked to HIV: crytpo sporidium. I also recently had new blood work done and my doctor informed me that my monocyte count was low and had dropped since my last blood work about 2 months ago. Does anyone know how monocyte counts are effected if someone has HIV?Should I get tested even though I haven't had sex?

Loading...

jennifnutta241813 over a year ago

How old are you? Do u engage in other risky behaviors such iv drug use? Are your parents hiv+? Do you have any other health problems or take medications that would make u immunosuppressed?

Reply

Loading...

Guest over a year ago

I am 20. I have never done drugs...never had sex. As far as I know my parents are not positive. I am not taking any medications aside from birth control (which is only taken to regulate my periods)

Reply

Loading...

jennifnutta241813 over a year ago

Ok hun I don't think the u need and hiv test however it concerns me that A-u had crypto it said to be common in hiv patients but that not entirely true its common in patients that are immunosuppressed. B your monocytes are low. Monocytes could be low simply because of the crypto or your low in a vitamin usually b12. The bigger question is why you immue system allowed u to become infected in the first place. If your doctor hasn't already,You need to have more labs drawn for lupus,b12 level,cancer(take a deep breath this less likely and u mostly likely would present with other syptoms as well). I hope this helps. I don't want to scare u but I don't want u to not seek futher diagnosis either.

Reply

Loading...

Guest over a year ago

Thank you for your help. I am low in b12 and supplementing for this. I have been tested for lupus and it has come back negative. I am working with a naturopath doctor who is treating me for H-Pylori as well as parasites but I want to make sure that there isn't more to the story...something that needs to be addressed further. Knowing this, is there anything else I should get tested for or bring up with my doctor?

Reply

Loading...

Guest over a year ago

also one other thing...could my immune system be suppressed from repeated use of antibiotics throughout my life? I know it kills off good bacteria as well. If so, how do I go about rebuilding my immune system?

Reply

Loading...

jennifnutta241813 over a year ago

No antibotic would not cause your immue system to be suppressed but steroids would such as prednisone,medrol,dexamethasone. Your doctor is on the right path so I would assume he looked at other blood counts the would help determine cancer if not that needs to be done. Make sure your doctor looks at other inflammatory illness such as rhemutoid arthritis. You can boost your immue system but u can't fix it if there an untreated underlying illness. To boost get a good multi vitamin high in folic acid over the counter prenatal are great option also get some vitmin c take them in additon to the multi vitamin. You'll want to increase folate in your diet with foods lentils,spinich pinto beans,black bean and collard greens I'm sure its in a lot more but that all I can think of. If your buy these items fresh wash extremly well with your current stomach problems we don't want another.

Reply

Loading...

Guest over a year ago

I remember taking steroids more than once in addition to antibiotics. Had I known what damage it can do, I would have never let my doctor prescribe them to me. Is this reversible?

Also, I'm curious what folate will help with?

Thank you!

Reply

Loading...

Guest over a year ago

*meant to say: what will folate help with?

Reply

Loading...

jennifnutta241813 over a year ago

Folate will help with bring your b12 levels up. Steroids will only effect your immune system while your taking them. theres no longer term effects unless you were taking them long term.

Reply

Loading...