HIV primarily affects the body's protective cells that are part of the blood, as a result of which the level of leukocytes changes either up or down, depending on the stage of the disease. It turns out that exacerbation of HIV can be prevented in advance, extending the patient’s life by several decades.
UAC parameters
A complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common tests that displays the indicators of all blood cells (leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelets and red blood cells), and the level of hemoglobin in a person. During the study, blood is taken from the patient’s capillaries (from a finger), since venous blood is not suitable for OAC.
General blood analysis
When examining blood, the doctor gives priority to white blood cells, since when the body is infected with HIV, these protective cells are the first to suffer. Leukocytes themselves are divided into several types of cells and proteins, each of which has characteristic indicators for the human immunodeficiency virus.
Changes in protein and leukocyte cell parameters in HIV
The first group of cells belonging to leukocytes are lymphocytes. When the infection first enters the blood, these cells tend to increase in levels, which indicates the body’s fight against the infection. However, in most cases, such resistance from protective cells does not produce results, and HIV quietly develops in the human body. If therapeutic measures are not taken at the initial stage of infection, then the lymphocytes will decline, which will be an alarming signal.
The second group of leukocytes are neutrophils, whose main task is to protect the body from viruses and immunodeficiencies (and HIV). When the virus enters the patient’s blood, neutrophils tend to move towards a low level, as a result of which the activity of their production in the bone marrow will decrease. In medicine, a reduced level of these cells is called neutropenia and indicates harmful processes in the body.
The third group of cells that make up leukocytes are platelets, which ensure normal blood clotting in humans. In people infected with immunodeficiency, the levels of these cells are reduced, which causes sudden bleeding. With low platelet counts, bleeding is difficult, and in some cases impossible, to stop.
platelet cell Important! In addition to the reduced levels of protective cells that make up leukocytes, the patient has a low level of hemoglobin, as a result of which the body's resistance is weakened. In medicine, this condition is called anemia and is considered dangerous to health.
If HIV cells are detected in the blood, even in small quantities, the infected person must regularly visit the doctor (the number of trips to the hospital is at least 4 times a year) and undergo a general blood test in order to monitor the development of the disease in the body. Such therapy will give the patient a chance to prolong life by more than a dozen years. Otherwise, HIV will end in death 1–2 years after the initial entry into the blood.
Factors that provoke a decrease or increase in leukocytes in the blood during HIV
In some cases, a decrease or increase in the number of protective cells is provoked by various physiological and pathological processes occurring in the human body:
The number of pathologies in which leukocytes are increased or decreased, as with the immunodeficiency virus, is many, and for an accurate diagnosis of such disturbances in the level of protective cells, the patient must undergo a number of additional tests related to blood and diagnostics of internal organs.
Severe stress as a cause of elevated white blood cell levels Important! Often, elevated levels of leukocytes lie not in viruses and infections, but in nervous breakdowns and exhaustion. Such conditions, like HIV, tend to increase the level of protective cells, which confuses doctors when deciphering the CBC analysis. However, with nervous exhaustion, a person feels concomitant symptoms (weakness, dizziness, nausea, increased drowsiness, etc.), which are absent in the infected person.
In rare cases, the cause of a decreased or increased level of protective cells in the blood will be hypothermia or severe overheating. Therefore, it will not be possible to make a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus based on an increase in the level of leukocytes alone.
Blood test for viral load if HIV is suspected (CD4)
CD-4 is a kind of protein receptor that is part of some leukocyte cells. And since leukocyte cells are the first to suffer in HIV, the calculation of this indicator takes almost the first place. Compared to a general blood test, the viral load test is considered more technically demanding. But it is considered a more informative study.
The CD-4 test will not give correct results if the patient is exposed to the following factors:
- Recent severe stress.
- Disturbed diet.
However, there is another criterion that affects the results of the CD-4 analysis, which depends not on the patient, but on the doctor - the time of blood sampling. If an infected person donates blood in the afternoon, then with a high probability the interpretation of the results will be false, and a morning blood draw is almost 100% likely to show the correct result.
As for the norm of the CD-4 indicator, it can be considered in the table below:
The higher the level of CD-4 in the patient’s blood, the less suspicion there is for the presence of HIV in his body. However, to definitively confirm the diagnosis, an infected person must undergo a CBC test to ensure a low level of leukocytes.
Viral load testing is a proven method for diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus. But it should be noted that in addition to the impaired level of CD-4 during HIV infection in the patient’s body, the results of the viral load test will also show the amount of its RNA-HIV components in the blood, which is an undetectable criterion in a healthy person.
In most cases, patients undergo additional HIV testing (in addition to a general blood test) if desired. However, such studies are recommended to be carried out more often as a preventative measure. After all, by increasing the chances of detecting HIV infection at an early stage of development, a person will simultaneously increase the chances of slowing it down as much as possible, saving himself several decades of life.
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What pathologies affect an increase in lymphocytes and a simultaneous decrease in leukocytes?
A general blood test for HIV is a common test for which a patient is sent when visiting a doctor of any specialization. This analysis is done when a disease is suspected and during medical examination. It gives an initial idea of the state of health of the person visiting the doctor and therefore is included, along with a general urine test, in the standard patient examination scheme.
How to do a general blood test for HIV
Blood collection is usually carried out in a clinic, laboratory or hospital, but many private medical organizations can collect blood at home. This is especially convenient for examining infants, the elderly, and patients who cannot walk on their own or who are advised to reduce physical activity for medical reasons.
Blood is taken from the pad of the ring finger with a special needle - a scarifier. The scarifier is used once and is kept in a sealed, sterile package before use. By lightly pressing the finger, the required amount of blood is obtained, then distributed into test tubes. For children and patients with a low pain threshold, it is recommended to use disposable sterile lancets with hidden needles of the smallest possible size.
It is psychologically easier to tolerate blood sampling when the patient does not see the needle and does not internally tense in anticipation of a painful puncture of the skin. The blood collected by the lancet goes directly into the built-in reservoir and has virtually no contact with air, which makes it possible to obtain ideal material for research. Electronic software analyzers are increasingly used for analysis.
They give the result and compare the patient’s indicators with normal indicators. But the use of special equipment does not exclude microscopic examination of the blood with staining and visual assessment by a person. Combining hardware and human analysis produces the most accurate results.
What does the general analysis show?
Mainly, a clinical blood test is carried out to find out the following indicators:
- Level of hemoglobin - iron-containing protein;
- The number of erythrocytes - red blood cells;
- Color indicator - the level of relative hemoglobin content in one red blood cell;
- The number of leukocytes - red blood cells;
- The number of platelets - non-nuclear cells responsible for blood clotting and the formation of a platelet aggregate to block a damaged vessel;
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is the ratio of protein fractions in plasma.
With the development of technologies for hardware blood analysis, the color indicator has lost its practical significance due to this. Which gives a less accurate idea of the hemoglobin content than the analyzer. But it is still carried out under microscopic examination. During a clinical blood test, other indicators may be determined.
What diseases can a blood test prevent?
An increase in hemoglobin levels may indicate dehydration of the body, intoxication with combustion products of tobacco (with excessive smoking, especially active smoking), or a benign tumor lesion of the blood system. A decrease in hemoglobin levels is observed with anemia or anemia, as well as with overhydration, that is, an increase in plasma volume.
An increase in the number of red blood cells indicates possible neoplasms, hydrocele (accumulation of transudate) of the renal pelvis, hypercortisolism syndrome, and also occurs during treatment with steroids or corticosteroids. Due to some conditions - burns, diarrhea, taking drugs with a diuretic effect - the blood can thicken, then a clinical analysis reveals a slight increase in the number of red blood cells.
A decrease in the number of red blood cells occurs with anemia, accelerated destruction of red blood cells and a decrease in the intensity of their formation in the bone marrow. Also, a slight decrease in red blood cells is observed in pregnant women, as well as in women during the period of uterine bleeding (as in Ebola fever) of various etiologies. Blood loss for various reasons (trauma, surgery, donation) before restoration of normal blood volume also appears in the test results.
Red blood cells are found in smaller quantities during diuretic or infusion therapy and for some time after them. A decrease in the color index indicates the likelihood of iron deficiency anemia or anemia caused by lead intoxication. An increase in the color index can be observed with a deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B12, gastric polyps and cancer. Changes in the level of leukocytes indicate much more serious and even dangerous health problems.
An increase in their level occurs during acute inflammation in various organs and tissues, sepsis and other purulent processes. Infectious invasion of the body, tissue trauma, myocardial infarction, malignant tumor processes. A slight increase in the number of leukocytes is observed in pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, and in breastfeeding mothers. And also in athletes during active training and in people engaged in heavy physical labor after significant muscle strain.
A decrease in the number of leukocytes occurs in a rare hereditary disease - achondroplasia, as well as in radiation sickness, typhoid fever, megaloblastic anemia, rheumatic diseases, leukemia, myelofibrosis, plasmacytoma, salmonella infection.
Anaphylactic shock, recently suffered by the patient, also leads to a change in the blood formula. An increased level of platelets is observed in patients with essential thrombocythemia, as well as with a tendency to thrombosis. A reduced level of platelets is observed in thrombocytopenia, cancer, malaria, and bronchial asthma.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases in cancer, anemia of various natures, collagenosis, and infectious diseases. Accompanied by inflammation, after bone fractures, operations, as well as in women during menstruation, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreases with jaundice, increased levels of bile acids, and circulatory failure.
Any deviations from the norm in the clinical blood test require a repeat analysis. If the repeated analysis duplicates previous results, then additional studies must be ordered. Biochemical blood test, analysis to identify individual pathogens (Wassermann reaction, determination of antibody titer to various infections). Glucose tolerance test, thromboelastography, thrombodynamics test, pulse oximetry, coagulological tests and others.
Does a general analysis show HIV
It often happens that patients going to the doctor for medical examination wonder whether a general blood test will show HIV? Definitely not. To identify immunodeficiency, a separate clinical blood test is performed. But since a general blood test does not show HIV specifically, but only gives reason to suspect a viral infection, a special study is required.
It is recommended to collect blood for a clinical blood test for HIV from a patient during an outbreak of respiratory diseases, as well as during various epidemics, at home. This will ensure that the patient is not at risk of contracting the disease. Which, taking into account his immune status, can be very difficult, difficult to stop and even lead to death.
In a general blood test for HIV, the indicators are as follows:
- During the first time after infection, the number of leukocytes increases;
- Lymphocytes are elevated at an early stage due to the body's constant fight against a progressive viral infection;
- Lymphocytes are reduced as the disease progresses and there is no adequate treatment;
- Hemoglobin decreases;
- The level of platelets decreases, which subsequently leads to impaired blood clotting and external and internal bleeding;
- The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases.
It can be seen that a clinical blood test itself does not indicate that the patient is HIV-infected. But at the same time, altered blood counts should be a reason for additional laboratory tests, including testing the patient for HIV infection. In case of a positive reaction, latest news about the HIV vaccine.
The basis for identifying HIV is the following circumstances:
- The patient has a constantly elevated body temperature for a month or more;
- Diarrhea for a month or more;
- Sudden sharp loss of body weight;
- Loss of appetite;
- General prolonged weakness;
- Apathy;
- Severe night sweats;
- Persistent and prolonged myalgia;
- Rash and ulceration of the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, it is necessary to additionally examine a patient with already identified HIV infection for tuberculosis, candidiasis, malaria, and meningitis. Toxoplasmosis, herpes and a number of other infectious diseases to which the immune system of such patients is unstable.
There is a negative attitude towards HIV-infected people in society, so many people are afraid to donate blood to detect this disease. You can donate blood to specialized laboratories for free and anonymously, and then receive treatment from an infectious disease doctor. Treatment will allow you to live a full life without complications, and the doctor will also give the necessary recommendations for preventing infection of the patient’s family members.
Until recently, the human immunodeficiency virus was the plague of the 20th century. Finding out about such a diagnosis was akin to a death sentence. Today, medicine has come a long way in the study of this virus. The very first and most important step towards early diagnosis of the disease is a general blood test for HIV, or more precisely, if this disease is suspected. A general blood test can detect changes in the qualitative composition of the biomaterial even at the earliest stages of pathology.
Any changes and deviations are a reason to conduct additional research in order to refute or confirm the diagnosis.
Complete blood test for suspected HIV
The following is known about the human immunodeficiency virus: it affects the body’s immune cells, which gradually stop working, and, as a result, the body can no longer cope with infections. It works slowly but surely. By destroying immune cells, it gradually leads the body to inevitable death. This does not have to happen today - tomorrow. Life expectancy depends on how quickly signs of the disease are detected and measures are taken to eliminate them.
A general blood test will not give you an accurate diagnosis, but will show all the changes that have occurred in your serum material. They will be the starting point on the path to diagnosis and treatment.
HIV is an infection whose final stage is AIDS. Accordingly, a general blood test if HIV infection is suspected will help your doctor present a clear picture of your health status.
In this regard, people ask the question: what formed components of blood change their qualitative and quantitative composition during AIDS.
Only a special test can show HIV infection. Today you can even purchase a home version of such a study in pharmacies. We'll talk about a general blood test. How to find out your HIV status by decoding it.
Table 1
| Blood elements | Changes in suspected HIV |
| Lymphocytes | A sharp increase in the number of lymphocytes is one of the main signs of any infection, and the immunodeficiency virus is no exception. The body tries to overcome the onset of the disease itself, increasing the level of lymphocytes as guard cells. A similar phenomenon in medicine is called lymphocytosis. The reverse process, when the number of lymphocytes sharply decreases, indicates that the body can no longer cope with the disease on its own, since immune cells practically do not work. In this case, lymphopenia is diagnosed. |
| Mononuclear cells | A special type of lymphocytes that appear in a person’s blood when exposed to a virus of any group |
| Platelets | In the blood of a healthy person, platelets should normally be from 200 to 400 thousand/μl. In HIV-infected people, this indicator becomes much lower, which is a sign of poor blood clotting. As a result, both external and internal bleeding may occur. It is important to know that platelet levels are falling at a catastrophic rate. |
| Neutrophils | The production of neutrophils in the bone marrow decreases. Neutropenia is not a direct symptom of HIV, but is considered as one of the guidelines. |
| Red blood cells | When the immunodeficiency virus enters the human body, red blood cells begin to malfunction. Due to this, the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, because red cells cannot cope with their main task. Low hemoglobin, leading to various forms of anemia, is one of the abnormalities in HIV infections. |
| ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases |
Of course, such changes can be signs of absolutely any infectious disease. Only additional special tests can accurately detect HIV. A doctor will prescribe them if he suspects something is wrong.
In case of infection with the immunodeficiency virus and with a confirmed diagnosis, a blood test for HIV is taken every three months. This is the only true and informative way to monitor the patient’s condition.
To whom and when is a blood test prescribed for HIV?
We have already said that this virus may not show its signs for quite a long time. People live for decades without knowing that they are carriers of a terrible disease. Therefore, if HIV is suspected, a clinical blood test is more of a preventive measure. It is good if the patient’s negative HIV status is confirmed, otherwise early diagnosis will be the key to the successful course of the disease. Taking into account all possible measures to support such patients.
So, the indications for taking a general blood test for HIV infection are:
- planned operations. This analysis will be aimed not so much at the process of identifying signs of the immunodeficiency virus, but at the state of platelets before surgery. This measure will help assess the situation with blood clotting and avoid unexpected bleeding during and after surgery.
- planning a pregnancy or an existing pregnancy. HIV infections have a detrimental effect on the intrauterine condition of the fetus, including serious congenital pathologies. It is important to know that a woman infected with AIDS and breastfeeding her baby passes on her disease to him. In addition, passing through the birth canal of an infected mother, the child is exposed to the risk of infection.
- you need to get tested after unprotected sexual contact with a person you are not sure about;
- if you got a tattoo or piercing in a dubious tattoo parlor;
- in case of blood donation to you from someone;
It’s better to make sure once again that everything is normal than to later be treated for a terrible and painful disease.
In addition, medical workers and people handling unsterile needles and surgical instruments are at increased risk.
Various body signals also indicate the need for this study.
Signs of HIV
Changes in how you feel should be the first signal to go to the doctor. No one argues that this could be simple fatigue or an incipient acute respiratory infection. However, there are often cases when chronic fatigue and a nervous state hid the immunodeficiency virus.
Symptoms of HIV:
- Fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches. In short, there are many manifestations of a cold. In most cases, these symptoms pass quickly, the person feels healthy and cheerful, not suspecting that the disease has already begun to progress.
- Tuberculosis, pneumonia, herpes. Most often, these diseases occur simultaneously. HIV in this case can be determined by the futility of the prescribed treatment. The therapy does not produce results because the human immune system is completely “eaten” by the virus and no longer performs its protective functions.
- Sudden weight loss combined with apathy and loss of appetite. Sometimes all this is accompanied by fever and diarrhea. All these are indicators of a serious infection that the body can no longer cope with on its own.
Research methods
The immunodeficiency virus can be detected by passing a narrow-profile test for HIV status. The blood will be tested in two main ways:
- immunoenzyme method
The first option is the most informative. With its help, it is possible to determine the presence of a virus in the body even 1.5 - 2 months after it enters cells and tissues. The presence of antibodies to immunodeficiency is determined. No antibodies - no virus. The timing of infection may influence the results. Usually the virus is activated within 2-3 months, but sometimes the periods increase and a “window” appears during which it is impossible to obtain a reliable result.
As a rule, a repeat AIDS test is scheduled after six months.
A complete blood test is not able to diagnose HIV infection in the body. But the presence of changes in the biomaterial gives grounds to prescribe an additional examination of the person.
A general or clinical blood test (abbreviated as UAC) is a mandatory procedure during a clinical examination, and the process of collecting biomaterial from a finger is familiar to everyone since childhood. In fact, it is impossible to determine and unambiguously diagnose the HIV virus in human blood using the CBC. At the same time, the primary stage of infection development will fully indicate some changes in the biological material, on the basis of which additional examination techniques are carried out.
A CBC (complete blood count) is a simple process of drawing blood from a small cut on the finger. Based on the results of this analysis, the state of the entire body system as a whole can be assessed. At the same time, a specialist is able to determine only some changes in the overall system, which provide grounds for carrying out additional research measures in the laboratory. But CBC does not give a chance to unambiguously diagnose HIV (human viral immunodeficiency).
A general blood test shows changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the body’s cells, which can indicate the presence of infectious or viral diseases .
Early detection and diagnosis of HIV infection is the most rewarding event for timely measures taken to cure a person from the immunodeficiency virus. After all, the virus affects the immune system at the cellular level, which destroys the body’s ability to resist even simple infections and viruses. What makes immunodeficiency so dangerous is that if you do not take timely measures to stop or slow down the spread of HIV throughout the body, the process will soon consume the entire system, leaving a person without protection against simple diseases.
A blood test, or rather, its result, will only show changes that are endowed with the ability to prompt a specialist to take additional examination measures. What can a general analysis of blood sampling show:
- Lymphopenia. A general decrease in lymphocytes in the blood in quantitative terms.
A reduced content of T-lymphocytes is the main sign of deteriorated activity of the immune system and the active development of a retrovirus in the body. This indicator can determine the early stage of infection.
- Lymphocytosis. An increased quantitative indicator of lymphocytes in the blood will indicate a change in the leukocyte formula.
An increase in lymphocytes indicates that the body has responded to the infection entering the body, trying to independently contain the spread.
- Increased ESR(erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
- Neutropenia(blood cells produced in the bone marrow).
A decrease in the concentration of neutrophils (granular leukocytes) according to the analysis will show the decline of protective cells that are involved in the fight against pathogenic viral agents.
A complete blood test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) helps confirm or refute the presence of the disease. Determining immunodeficiency in the early stages allows you to slow down the development of infection and prolong the patient’s life. A general blood test can detect the virus soon after it enters the body. Therefore, this study is prescribed if the disease is suspected. If the procedure shows changes, the patient is referred for additional examination to confirm the diagnosis.
In what cases is an HIV test prescribed?
HIV testing is usually considered a precautionary measure. This virus can live in the body for many years and not manifest itself in any way. This diagnosis is most often made by chance.
A person can be sent for a blood test for HIV in the following cases:
- Before surgical interventions, in order to prevent the development of complications due to changes in blood parameters.
- During the period of bearing a child. Pregnant women are prescribed this test several times. It is very important to identify the virus at the beginning of pregnancy, since if the mother is sick, the child will be born with the same problem, and gradually secondary pathologies will develop.
- After unprotected sexual intercourse.
- If a person got a tattoo or piercing in an unverified place.
Medical workers and donors need to be tested periodically: they are at risk because they may come into contact with contaminated blood.
You can become infected with the immunodeficiency virus only through bodily fluids or blood. By kissing, by airborne droplets, or by sharing common objects, this disease cannot spread from one person to another. In domestic conditions there is very little risk of infection. This can only happen after sexual contact with a patient or if the needle used to take blood from the patient is used on another person.
What does a general blood test show?
Many people are interested in whether a general clinical test can show HIV. This procedure is prescribed for the diagnosis of any pathology. For the study, capillary blood is used, which is taken from a finger on the hand. Based on the results of the analysis, a specialist can detect any processes occurring in the body.
If the composition of blood cells changes, it means that an infectious or other kind of disease is developing. HIV is called the immunodeficiency virus because it immediately attacks the immune cells that are responsible for the body's resistance to infections. This feature is what makes the disease so dangerous.
If the virus is not detected in time and its spread is not stopped with the help of medications, then soon the immune system will be destroyed and a person may die from even the mildest infection.
A general analysis may show:
- increase in the content of lymphocytes in the blood. This process is called lymphocytosis. He can detect a problem in the early stages of development - the body begins to fight the virus that has penetrated it, which is manifested by an increase in lymphocytes;
- decrease in the content of lymphocytes in the blood. This process is called lymphopenia. It develops when the disease attacks a person's immune system;
- decreased platelet levels. This is thrombocytopenia. These cells are responsible for the ability of blood to clot. If their number decreases, then the risk of developing external or internal bleeding increases;
- decrease in neutrophil concentration. These blood cells are produced in the red bone marrow. A decrease in their number (or neutropenia) occurs when an infectious process begins to develop in the body. This indicator suggests the presence of immunodeficiency;
- decrease in hemoglobin level. This is due to the fact that with HIV, the functioning of red blood cells is disrupted. These cells carry oxygen throughout the body, so if hemoglobin falls, the person’s condition worsens;
- the presence of atypical mononuclear cells in the blood. These cells appear when a virus enters the body.
These indicators will indicate that an infection is developing and the doctor will refer you for additional tests.
Possible signs of illness
The human immunodeficiency virus does not always appear immediately. In some cases, for a long time a person may not even suspect the fate that has befallen him. But sometimes the body reacts very sharply to the penetration of a virus, so much so that it is, as they say, “unable to endure.”
This may present with symptoms of a common cold:
- headache;
- lymph nodes enlarge;
- severe weakness occurs;
- a sharp increase in temperature is possible.
After some time, the person’s well-being improves, he thinks that he just has a cold.
If the cause is HIV, then it is necessary to detect the disease, since the body cannot cope with it on its own and it needs to be influenced with medications. The virus is most often detected when it has already attacked the immune system.
This is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- At the same time, several infectious diseases arise that are not affected by the prescribed therapy.
- A person loses weight sharply and gets tired quickly. This happens because metabolic processes are disrupted.
- There is a persistent increase in temperature to subfebrile levels.
- The patient sweats a lot at night. This is also possible with other infectious pathologies.
It is very important to get tested for HIV even if you have no symptoms. This will help protect yourself and others.
