hiv patient blood report

A complete blood count (CBC) is a panel of tests routinely performed in people living with HIV that measures the composition of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Changes above or below the "normal" range of values may be an early sign of an infection or drug toxicity.

Full Answer

What blood tests are done to diagnose HIV?

Complete blood count (CBC) he CBC is the most common blood test that doctors order. It checks levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Generally, even people without symptoms of HIV disease should have a CBC test done at least every 6–12 months.

Are there any blood problems associated with HIV?

In people living with HIV who have CD4 counts over 350 cells/mm 3, blood problems such as those described below are not common. In people taking HIV treatment, these problems are rare, with the exception of anaemia, which can be a side-effect of the anti-HIV drug zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir).

How do I Report HIV/AIDS cases?

Please refer to the appropriate state or local health department HIV surveillance program for specific guidance on reporting requirements in your local area. Completed case reports should be forwarded to the health departments and not be sent directly to CDC.

How does a CBC Test detect HIV infection?

By doing so, the CBC can identify (and ideally prevent) the development of treatment-related side effects, as well as detect any disorders that may be related to HIV infection. The test itself measures several components or features of your blood, including the white blood cells, the red blood cells, and platelets.

What will your blood test show if you have HIV?

HIV Antibody/Antigen Test. This test looks for HIV antibodies and antigens in the blood. An antigen is a part of a virus that triggers an immune response. If you've been exposed to HIV, antigens will show up in your blood before HIV antibodies are made. This test can usually find HIV within 2–6 weeks of infection.

What is WBC count in HIV patients?

Normal: 500–1,200 cells per cubic millimeter. Abnormal: 250–500 cells per cubic millimeter. It means you have a weakened immune system and may be infected with HIV. Abnormal: 200 or fewer cells per cubic millimeter. It indicates AIDS and a high risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections.

Does CBC detect HIV?

The CBC is the most common blood test that doctors order. It checks levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Generally, even people without symptoms of HIV disease should have a CBC test done at least every 6–12 months.

Do normal blood tests show STDS?

Sexually transmitted infection tests Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be diagnosed using a blood sample. These tests are often combined with urine samples or swabs of infected tissue for more accurate diagnoses.

What is a normal WBC count?

The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter (4.5 to 11.0 × 109/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Does A Negative HIV Test Result Mean?

A negative result doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period—the time between when a person gets HIV and...

If I Have A Negative Test Result, Does That Mean That My Partner Is Hiv-Negative also?

No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status.HIV is not necessarily transmitted every time you have sex. Therefore, taking an HIV test is...

What Does A Positive HIV Test Result Mean?

If you have a positive HIV test result, a follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, it means you are HIV-positive.I...

If I Test Positive For HIV, Does That Mean I Have Aids?

No. Testing positive for HIV does not mean you have AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV disease. HIV can lead to AIDS if not treated.See W...

Will Other People Know My Test result?

If you take an anonymous test, no one but you will know the result. If you take a confidential test, your test result will be part of your medical...

Why is it important to check for hepatitis?

Why it’s important: Some people who are living with HIV are also coinfected with hepatitis. Checking you for hepatitis A, B, and C infection can help your provider to determine if you need to be treated, or if you are a candidate for one of the existing hepatitis A or B vaccines. (Read more about how hepatitis affects people living with HIV.)

Why is it important to get a viral load test?

It’s important to get a viral load test to see the level of HIV in your blood before starting treatment and help guide the choice of HIV medications and then to get repeat tests to track your response to HIV treatment. Complete Blood Count (CBC): This is a measure of the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells, ...

What is the CD4 count of an uninfected adult?

The CD4 count of an uninfected adult/adolescent who is generally in good health ranges from 500 cells/mm 3 to 1,600 cells/mm 3. In contrast, if HIV has destroyed so many CD4 cells that you have a CD4 count of fewer than 200/mm 3, you are considered to have progressed to stage 3 (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV infection. ...

Why is it important to know about HIV?

Why it’s important: For women living with HIV, abnormal cell growth in the cervix is common, and abnormal anal cells are common for both men and women living with HIV. These abnormal cells may become cancerous if they aren’t treated. Why it’s important: Some people who are living with HIV are also coinfected with hepatitis.

Why is drug resistance important?

Why it’s important: Drug resistance test results help your provider determine which HIV medicines are most likely to work for you. Serum Chemistry Panel: This panel is comprised of a series of several blood tests and helps provide information about your body's metabolism. It gives your provider information about how your kidneys ...

Why is CD4 count important?

Why it’s important: A CD4 count is a good measure of your risk of opportunistic infections and an indicator of how well your immune system is working. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART), medications that control the HIV, is recommended for everyone with HIV, no matter how high or low their CD4 count is.

Why are lab tests important?

Lab Tests and Why They Are Important. As part of your HIV care , your provider will order several laboratory tests. The results of these lab tests, along with your physical exam and other information you provide , will help you and your provider work together to develop the best plan to manage your HIV care so that you can get ...

What are the risks of HIV?

Many people living with HIV have an increased amount of fat, or lipids, in their blood. Some lipids are cholesterol and triglycerides. Higher cholesterol levels can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Higher triglycerides can increase the risk of damage to the pancreas (pancreatitis). Your lab report will list the amount of the following lipids in your blood (for the most accurate results, it is best to check lipid levels when you have been fasting): 1 Total cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in the blood. It is best to keep your total cholesterol level below 200. 2 Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This is "bad" cholesterol, which can clog the arteries. It is best to keep your LDL level below 100 to 130. 3 High-density lipoproteins (HDL). This is "good" cholesterol, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease. It is best to get your HDL level up to at least 40. 4 Triglycerides. After eating, energy that is not needed right away is converted into a substance called triglycerides, which is stored in fat cells. It is best to keep your triglyceride level below 100 to 150.

What does low RBC mean?

A normal HCT for women is 36 to 44 percent and a normal HGB level is 12 to 15 g/dL. A low RBC, HCT, or HGB may mean you have anemia, which can cause you to feel tired. For more information, see our fact sheet on Anemia and Women.

How many red blood cells are there in a woman's blood?

A typical RBC count for women is four to five million red blood cells. Hematocrit (HCT) measures how much of your blood is made up of RBCs, and hemoglobin (HGB) measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is the protein in RBCs that allows them to carry oxygen.

Why is CBC important for HIV?

CBCs are especially important for people living with HIV because some HIV drugs and some infections can cause changes in the number of red or white blood cells.

How does HIV affect blood sugar?

High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can be a sign of diabetes or insulin resistance (when the body does not respond to insulin, a hormone to help control glucose levels). High glucose levels can be a side effect of HIV drugs. Your health care provider can monitor your levels through glucose tests. For the most accurate results, it is best to check blood sugar levels when you have been fasting (not eating or drinking anything but water for about eight hours). For more information, see our fact sheet on Diabetes.

What is the purpose of blood chemistry?

Blood Chemistry. Blood chemistry tests measure certain chemicals in your blood. Results of these tests give your health care provider important information about your general health, how well your organs (such as the liver and kidneys) are working, and whether you may be experiencing side effects from HIV drugs.

What happens when you first get HIV?

When you are first diagnosed with HIV and when you first start taking HIV drugs, you will get "baseline" blood tests that show your health at that moment. Later tests can be compared against these results to see how things are going, and if they are changing.

What is the cause of neutropenia?

The most common cause is the anti-HIV drug zidovudine, the anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) drug ganciclovir or drugs used to treat cancers and tumours. People living with HIV often have slightly lower levels of neutrophils than people who don't have HIV, but serious neutropenia is rare among people with CD4 counts above 200.

Why do people with HIV have a decrease in blood cells?

A decrease in blood cells can also be caused by the destruction of cells in the circulation or by bleeding disorders such as haemophilia. The latest news and research on testing & health monitoring. Apart from a decline in CD4 cells, the three most common blood problems among people living with HIV are anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

What is the term for a shortage of platelets?

Thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia means a shortage of platelets, which are cells that help the blood to clot. People who have thrombocytopenia may bruise very easily or, in serious cases, develop uncontrollable bleeding. HIV can infect the cells in the bone marrow that produce platelets.

How does HIV affect bone marrow?

HIV can damage the bone marrow by infecting its cells directly , or by disrupting levels of natural chemicals (called growth factors) that help bone marrow cells develop. The bone marrow may also be affected by some drugs or the illnesses that can develop if you have a weak immune system (opportunistic infections).

What happens if you have low CD4?

Some of these problems may be caused by damage to the bone marrow. These problems include anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. In people living with HIV who have CD4 counts over 350 cells/mm 3, blood problems such as those described below are ...

What is the best medicine for low neutrophil count?

Alternatively, if the neutrophil count falls very low (below 500) doctors may prescribe G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor), a drug which stimulates the body to produce white blood cells and has been shown to improve neutropenia and reduce the risk of infections.

Why do people with anemia need blood transfusions?

This stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells. People with severe anaemia may need blood transfusions to top up their red blood cells. If the anaemia was caused by taking a drug, after the anaemia has been treated it may be possible to resume taking the drug, this time at a lower dose.

How to lower your risk of HIV?

To lower your risk of transmitting HIV, Take medicines to treat HIV (antiretroviral therapy or ART) the right way every day so that you achieve and maintain an undectable viral load. Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. Learn the right ways to use a male condom and a female condom.

What does HIV stand for in testing?

HIV testing shows whether a person is infected with HIV. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. Learn about what a positive and negative HIV test result mean.

What is the purpose of ART?

ART is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day. ART can keep you healthy for many years and greatly reduces your chance of transmitting HIV to your sex partner (s) if taken the right way, every day.

What happens if you have a positive HIV test?

If you have a positive HIV test result, a follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, it means you are HIV-positive. If you had a rapid screening test, the testing site will arrange a follow-up test to make sure the screening test result was correct.

What does a negative HIV test mean?

A negative result doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period—the time between when a person gets HIV and when a test can accurately detect it. The window period varies from person to person and is also different depending upon the type of HIV test. Ask your health care provider about ...

What to do if your blood test confirms you are infected with HIV?

If your follow-up test result confirms you are infected with HIV, the next thing is to take steps to protect your health and prevent transmission to others. Begin by talking to your health care provider about antiretroviral therapy (ART).

How long after HIV exposure can you get tested again?

If you get an HIV test within 3 months after a potential HIV exposure and the result is negative, get tested again in 3 more months to be sure. If you learned you were HIV-negative the last time you were tested, you can only be sure you’re still negative if you haven’t had a potential HIV exposure since your last test.

What is the normal hematocrit for anemia?

Hematocrit refers to the percentage of your blood that consists of red blood cells. A normal hematocrit is about 37-47% in females and 40-54% in males.

What does it mean when your white blood cells are high?

High white blood cell counts may indicate that you are fighting an infection.

What does CBC mean in blood work?

Complete blood count (CBC) This test looks at the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen to other cells in your body. If the level of your red blood cells is too low, you have anemia. Anemia can cause fatigue.

What is a loc map for HIV testing?

HIV Diagnostic Tests LOINC Map#N#excel icon#N#[XLS – 254 KB]#N#To increase semantic interoperability for HIV laboratory reporting, the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, HIV Incidence and Case Surveillance Branch at CDC participated in a pilot project to develop a LOINC map for all FDA-approved HIV diagnostic tests. The standardized mapping was developed in coordination with Association of Public Health Laboratories, the Regenstrief Institute, Inc., and the Division of Laboratory Systems at CDC. The benefits of the LOINC map is in providing a concise document that defines LOINC codes for use with specific tests.#N#Intended Audience: Diagnostic laboratory personnel, public health surveillance personnel and in vitro diagnostic developers.

What is the purpose of the NCHHSTP report?

The purpose of this report is to help public health agencies and others understand and interpret their responsibilities under the Privacy Rule.

Lab Tests and Why They Are Important

Viral Load Test

• One important test is your HIV viral load test. It’s a lab test that measures how many HIV particles are in a sample of your blood. This is called your viral load. You want your viral load to be low. The higher your viral load, the greater your risk of becoming ill because of HIV and the more likely you are to transmit HIV. The viral load is highes...

See more on hiv.gov

CD4 Cell Count

Other Important Lab Tests

Frequency and Timing of Testing