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What Causes Diarrhea Lasting For 3 Months?
Question: Hello. 48 YO white male, historically in good physical health, XXXXXXX just returning to the US from living in Europe for the past year. I live in Galveston, TX. I do not have a primary care provider at this time. I was HIV negative last time I was tested at a community health center in the US over 2 years ago. In Europe, I made some major mistakes and stopped practicing safe sex, I finally got my nerve up to be tested (home test - 20 minute results) this weekend and unfortunately the test showed I am HIV+. Importantly, I have had diarrhea lasting over 3 months that got much worse in the last several days. I do not know where to begin with doctors, do I start with an infectious disease doc or first with a GI? I know both must be treated, my hunch is the stomach problems are related to the HIV but I am not sure. I need guidance on what type of doc I should make an appointment with first. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Confirm the diagnosis, treat the diarrhea and meet ID specialist
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your health concern.
Now for you, the positive status has to be confirmed by another test (ELISA, Western Blot or with PCR test)
The spell of diarrhea is quite unlikely to be due to HIV disease. Diarrhea in HIV disease can occur after the immunity (CD4 cell count) falls down considerably from your normal status. That would take not less than 5 years usually and unlikely to be within a year or so.
So you can meet a Primary care provider nearby your place. He would be able to treat your diarrheal disease after a motion examination and he would also be able to confirm your HIV status.
He would be the right person to decide to refer you to the infectious Disease specialist after preliminary investigations and treatment.
Dr S.Murugan
Confirm the diagnosis, treat the diarrhea and meet ID specialist
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your health concern.
Now for you, the positive status has to be confirmed by another test (ELISA, Western Blot or with PCR test)
The spell of diarrhea is quite unlikely to be due to HIV disease. Diarrhea in HIV disease can occur after the immunity (CD4 cell count) falls down considerably from your normal status. That would take not less than 5 years usually and unlikely to be within a year or so.
So you can meet a Primary care provider nearby your place. He would be able to treat your diarrheal disease after a motion examination and he would also be able to confirm your HIV status.
He would be the right person to decide to refer you to the infectious Disease specialist after preliminary investigations and treatment.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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