My "Blood Count" Test came back normal, does that mean I probably don't have HIV?

So the Health Department sent me a letter saying I may have been exposed to HIV/hepatitis A, B, and C because of the unsanitary conditions that my doctor may have done (he is now in prison). I am extremely paranoid that I have HIV. It was 4 months ago that I may have been exposed. So I went and had tests done. They called and said my "Blood Count" came back normal but they are still waiting on the HIV/STD tests. Now is that a good sign that my blood count is normal? If I had HIV wouldn't my blood count be off should as low white blood cells or whatever? Wouldn't I have a compromised immune system and my blood work would be messed up? Also, they say I will have to go into the office in person to get my results. I am freaking out!!!!! Also, I got a yeast infection in my vaginal area a month ago, is that a sign of AIDS? I am so paranoid! Please help! Is my normal blood count a good sign?

Actually, it takes approximately 3 WEEKS for HIV antibodies to show up in your blood in a Western Blot or Elisa test.
The good news is,if you are positive,you have a much better prognosis than when HIV first came around.I have a few friends who have been positive for many years!(One just became a grandma,which is pretty cool.)
I used to do HIV testing and 3 weeks was what we were taught,so it doesn't stay "hidden" anywhere in your body after that,and very often,it shows up before.We were also taught that it is very difficult a virus to get-it dies when irt hits room air,it has to have a direct opening to the bloodstream,etc.
If your Hep panel came back positive,I would be alot more worried,as Hep C is the new epidemic .
Best wishes,and I hope your Dr. is ashamed of himself!!

wish I had better news for you, but it can take six months to a year before there is enough of the HIV virus to show up in testing. Your normal blood counts are a good thing, but do not reflect anything with regards the virus. You need to test again at six months and one year to be certain you are free of the HIV virus.
Hepatitis is also not something to pass off, it kills more people than HIV, so be sure they test you for that as well.

How terrible! HIV can take up to a year to be detected, though this is rare. It is usually detected within a month of exposure. As far as the blood count goes, a person with HIV usually has a normal number of t-cells, perhaps slightly under. The t-cell count is almost always normal if it's a new exposure (like if you've only been carrying it for like six months or a year). T-cell count only begins to fall when the virus has had the opprrotunity to replicate and spread. If you were exposed only 4 months ago, then your immune system will probably not be impaired enough to show a low t-cell count. Fungal infections (like thrush and yeast infections) do often occur in patients who are immunocompromised. But that usually doesn't come until the virus has had an opprotunity to destroy your t-cells. Yeast infections are common in women, and you can get them at any time, regardless of whether or not you are HIV positive. It's not a definitive symptom. Best of luck to you, and I'm really glad your former doc is in prison.... just sad that he was not practicing safe medicine and that you and his other patients now have to suffer with worry, and possibly disease.

With HIV, the testing is now a 3 month window period. So to be totally sure, if you are sexually active use condoms for three months and then retest. That will give you an accurate picture of your status. It use to be a 6 month window period, the the testing is getting so much better that I tell everyone I test that it is now 3 months.

Your blood count is no indicator of HIV. Your blood count could be normal even if you had AIDS. Check around where you live and see if you can get the Rapid test for HIV. You'll have the results in 15 min which will relieve the agony of waiting.

You MUST go into the office to get your HIV results, they will not tell you over the telephone or even mail you the results. That's whether your positive or negative. Standard procedure, so don't freak about that.

I think yeast infections among women is pretty much part of being a woman and is certainly NOT an indicator of HIV at this early stage.

I'm waiting for my results too, so we'll wait together. My hepatitis results will be mailed to me, but like you, I have to go into the office for my HIV results. This is done so that you can be counseled and all of your options explained to you in case you are positive. So it's a good thing.

Good luck with your results.