distinct - MYSQL using distinction but including an exemption/exclusion condition? -

i using count query select non duplicate records table, i'm using following:

function check_profile_views3() {             global $connection;             global $_session;             $query = "select count(distinct profile_id) totalcount2 ptb_profile_views viewed_profile_id=".$_session['user_id']." , profile_id!=".$_session['user_id']."";             $check_profile_views_set3 = mysql_query($query, $connection);             confirm_query($check_profile_views_set3);             return $check_profile_views_set3;                } 

my table looks this:

id  |  profile_id | viewed_profile_id 1          3               6 2          3               6 3          4               6 4          -1              6 5          -1              6 

so in example query selects distinct values , doesnt count values duplicates in profile_id field,

however want add exception query count '-1' profile id's counting distinct positive numbers.

is possible im still learning sql greatful if can me out.

thanks

desired result

the mysql table goes this: id | profile_id | viewed_profile_id 1        3               6 2        3               6 3        4               6 4       -1               6 5       -1               6  this:  end result pulls results table id | profile_id | viewed_profile_id 1        3               6 2        4               6 3       -1               6 4       -1               6 

ok im trying jw's answer , im trying im going wrong somewhere:

this how im doing query:

function check_profile_views3() {         global $connection;         global $_session;         $query = "         select  a.*            ptb_profile_views         inner join     (         select  profile_id, min(id) min_id            ptb_profile_views           profile_id > 0         group   profile_id     ) b on a.profile_id = b.profile_id ,             a.id = b.min_id             union             select  *                ptb_profile_views               profile_id < 0";         $check_profile_views_set3 = mysql_query($query, $connection);         confirm_query($check_profile_views_set3);         return $check_profile_views_set3;            } 

and im calling on page so:

$check_profile_views_set3 = check_profile_views3(); while ($views3 = mysql_fetch_array($check_profile_views_set3)) {   echo "". $views3['totalcount2'] .""; 

can try this:

select viewed_profile_id,count(distinct profile_id) totalcount2 ptb_profile_views profile_id not in (".$_session['user_id']." ,-1) group viewed_profile_id