Early Signs of HIV

What are the early signs of HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS, one of the most dreaded illnesses today.  Symptoms of HIV infection can manifest within a month or two after HIV entered the body, although the symptoms may also appear years and even decades after infection.  In the United States, 20% of those with HIV do not realize they have the virus, making it more important for them to undergo HIV testing.  There are several signs that may indicate that a person has contracted HIV.

Fever

One of the first signs of HIV infection is mild fever that can go up to 102 degrees F.  It is accompanied by mild symptoms like sore throat, swollen lymph glands and fatigue.  The virus is beginning to move into the blood stream and replicating in large numbers, resulting to an inflammatory reaction.

Fatigue

The inflammatory reaction can result to an infected individual to feel tired and exhausted. Thus fatigue is considered as another early sign of HIV infection. It is normal for people with HIV to feel tired after doing seemingly less strenuous activities like walking.

Swollen Nymph Nodes

People with HIV may notice swollen lymph nodes as well as pain in the joints and muscles.  Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and there is a tendency for these to be inflamed whenever there’s an infection. Lymph nodes are usually found in the neck, groin and armpit.

Skin Rash

Skin rashes may occur as an early sign of HIV, or as a late symptom. People infected with HIV would notice skin rashes like boils with itchy pink areas. The rashes can also be found on the trunk of the body. If skin rashes are not easily treated, then one has to seriously consider undergoing HIV test.

Diarrhea and vomiting

At least 30% of people with HIV experience diarrhea and vomiting during the early stages of HIV infection. The symptoms may also be a result of antiretroviral therapy.  Diarrhea that cannot be cured by usual over-the-counter medication can be an indication of HIV infection.

Unexplained weight loss

People with HIV can experience unexplained weight loss, partly due to severe diarrhea.  According to specialists, weight loss can be due to the depletion of the body’s immune system. The US Department of Health and Human Services says people who have lost 10% of their body weight and at the same time experience fever and diarrhea for more than a month should consider undergoing HIV test.

Dry cough

One of the first signs of HIV infection is dry cough. It could persist for months and even years. Dry cough that is a symptom of HIV is also difficult to cure, with inhalers and antibiotics unable to address it.

Night sweats

At least half of people infected with HIV will experience night sweats during the early part of the infection. Night sweats are also not related to exercise or the temperature of the room. Night sweats associated with HIV infection are hard to dismiss as well.

Pictures of HIV

In the initial stages of contracting HIV, there may be no symptoms that can be observed. In the first few months of entering the body, around 40 to 90% of individuals contracted with HIV suffer some flu-like symptom which is known as acute retroviral syndrome or ARS. For some however, HIV symptoms do not appear for several years even decades. The progression of the HIV differs generally among individuals. This development may range from a few months to more than ten years.

However, the most common symptom is fever which can run up to about 102 degrees Fahrenheit. It is usually accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, weight loss among others. At this stage, the HIV is going into the blood stream and   is starting to replicate in big numbers.

Fatigue is another symptom. As the virus progress to your blood, the immune system is inflamed and can caused you fatigue and you feel lethargic and tired.

Acute retroviral syndrome is usually mistaken for the flu or another viral sexual infection such gonorrhea or even hepatitis. This is not at all surprising since the symptoms are just the same which include muscle pain and joint pain and swollen glands. Lymph nodes are within one’s immune system and tend to be hurt when inflamed by a virus. They are usually found in neck, groin and armpit.

Sore throat and headache are another set of common symptoms since they are manifestations when the body’s immune system is attacked by a virus.

Skin rashes can also manifest in early or late part of the HIV development. They are usually similar to boils accompanied by some itchy pink areas in one’s arms. If the skin rash cannot be explained, it can be a possible symptom of HIV.

There may also be short-term nausea, diarrhea and vomiting in the initial stages of HIV. They manifest as a result of anti retroviral therapy and then in the infection state typically as an offshoot of an opportunistic infection. Diarrhea that cannot be cured by the usual remedy and is unremitting may be an indication of HIB infection.

There is also weight loss or the so called AIDS wasting. This is a symptom of a more advanced ailment and could be attributed in part to diarrhea. The immune system is already attacked hence the person is suffering from weight loss. A person is said to have manifested a wasting syndrome if they lose at least 10% of their body weight and had suffered from diarrhea or weakness and fever for more than thirty days.

And finally a dry cough may be a symptom of HIV infection. If a dry cough went on for more than one year and kept getting worse with the usual medicines like antibiotics and inhalers not giving a respite to it, then it is time to have an HIV check up.  The cough and weight may be considered to be a precursor to a grave infection which attacks the immune system such as the HIV.

Picture with HIV symptom

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HIV Symptoms in Women

The Most Common Symptoms of HIV in Women

The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition that is characterized by the failure of the immune system to combat and prevent life-threatening diseases like cancer.  Both men and women can fall prey to HIV. There are several symptoms of HIV in women. Since most of the cases of HIV are a result of unprotected sex, it is important for women who have had multiple sexual partners to undergo regular HIV screening.

Lack of appetite and weight loss

One of the more common signs of HIV in women is the lack of appetite that can lead to women suffering from rapid weight loss. Many women who have HIV find it hard to eat. Constant diarrhea can also enhance the weight loss process. It is a regular occurrence for women who have HIV to think that they are pregnant because of the lack of appetite. Thus most of them end up going to a prenatal clinic instead of getting tested for HIV.

Constant Fatigue

As the body fails to stop HIV from disrupting the immune system, women with HIV also feel constantly fatigued. This is due to the HIV wrecking havoc on the body, aside from the fact that women with HIV are also unable to get the right nutrients for their body because of their lack of appetite.

Psychological Issues

Most women with HIV drastically lose their self confidence, resulting to different kinds of psychological issues. They often feel uncomfortable interacting with other people. The increased stress and tension often yields to a faster infection by the virus, especially with women not having enough nutrients to build up the immune system due to their lack of appetite.

Lymph Nodes

Another symptom of HIV in women are swollen glands, or lymph nodes often found in the armpits, groin and neck. According to research, lymph nodes happen to 3 out of 4 people who have been tested HIV-positive. Lymph nodes are generalized and in most cases, not painful.

Vaginal Discharge

Another common HIV symptom among women is vaginal discharge. The discharge may be muddy, clear or colored, and the amount may vary depending on the specific condition of the patient.

Flu-Like Symptoms

Women who have HIV also suffer from flu-like symptoms. These symptoms usually occur week in and week out. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, soreness and other conditions associated by the flu. Flu-like symptoms appear as the body tries to fight off the HIV in the body.

Changes in Menstrual Cycle

Women who are HIV positive will also experience radical changes in their menstrual cycle. They often miss their first period after having sexual contact, making them think that they are pregnant only to end up having irregular periods that last for either fewer or more days than their usual cycle.  Women with HIV may also notice yeast infections particularly in their vagina. However the infections occur only during the more advanced stages of AIDs.