I'm really worried because I did an HIV test and it came back negative, but I smoked marijuana two days before the test. Now, I'm seeing some variations in my complete blood count test results, and it's making me doubt the accuracy of the HIV test. Could the marijuana have affected the outcome of the HIV test in any way? Can you please help me understand what's going on?

Dr Shubham Chauhan

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 4+ Yrs

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ESR Levels*

1. Initial high ESR (120): This indicates inflammation, which can be caused by various conditions, including infections, arthritis, or cancer.
2. Reduced ESR (20): This suggests that the inflammation has decreased, which is a positive response to treatment.

Possible Causes

1. Arthritis: The initial high ESR and back pain could be indicative of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
2. Infections: Infections like tuberculosis or osteomyelitis can cause high ESR and back pain.
3. Cancer: Although less likely, cancer (e.g., multiple myeloma) can cause high ESR. However, a single ESR test is not conclusive for cancer diagnosis.

Next Steps

1. Consult her doctor: Discuss the reduced ESR and any changes in symptoms with her doctor.
2. Further testing: Her doctor may recommend additional tests (e.g., blood tests, imaging studies) to determine the underlying cause of the initial high ESR and back pain.

Answered 04/07/2025