Hello,

Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
I understand your concern and will try my best to help you here.

You have negative STD tests and repeated negative HIV test. Your concern is about the CD8 levels. I am not sure why your Doctor ordered for these tests in the first place. If there was a specific indication please let me know. A very important fact you need to understand is (a misconception lot of people have) that CD4 and CD8 Suppressor cells are NOT all about HIV. They are very dynamic functional component in the human body. From change of temperature to a simple viral illness lot of factors can influence their levels.

In you care the Absolute CD8 suppressor levels are high normal. I will not call it abnormal. Without other correlating or supporting lab finding this has not meaning. Infact this means your immune system is working. These cells are supposed to go up and down. Same with Lymphocytosis. The CD4/CD8 ratio is low because of the relatively high CD8 Count.

I would like to know whether you have done baseline blood tests (Complete Count ), Peripheral Smear etc.
Also was the Lymph node enlargement diagnosed by your Doctor ? If so was it evaluated further ?
May I know the indication for CD4 testing. If it was a self ordered test may I know what prompted you ?

Hope this helped
Thank you

CD4 and CD8 levels should not be done as a routine as it will not give any useful information. The symptoms seem to be discrete. Aphthous can occur without a cause. You can use a Chlorhexidine containing mouthwash for this. Also take a B complex vitamin.

Lymph Node enlargement is what requires evaluation. If it persisting for more than 2 weeks you need to do a Peripheral Smear examination (a blood test) followed by a course of antibiotics.

Anyway your are HIV negative and need not repeat the tests. The next evaluation should be step by step and it is better done step by step.

Hope this helps
Thank you