Hiv – Signs and Symptoms of Hiv
HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that assails the immune system. The virus attacks your CD4 cells (or T4 cells), which are necessary to fight off illnesses. Eventually, the virus overwhelms the CD4 cells and your body becomes unable to fight off diseases and infections. Once your body’s CD4 cell count falls below 200 per cubic millimeter of blood, and/or an opportunistic infection takes hold of your weakened immune system, you will be diagnosed with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Symptoms of HIV vary according to what stage of the infection you are in.
Signs and Symptoms of HIV
Symptoms that could serve as warning signals of HIV infection may go ignored because many women do not perceive themselves at risk. Symptoms include recurrent yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis), pelvic inflammatory disease, abnormal changes or dysplasia (growth and presence of precancerous cells) in cervical tissue, genital ulcers, genital warts, and severe mucosal herpes infections may also accompany HIV infection in women.
The first symptoms of HIV infection can resemble symptoms of common cold or flu viruses. The symptoms of early infection can also be similar to the symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases and other infections such as “mono” or hepatitis, which are much more commonly and more easily transmitted. Stress and anxiety can also produce symptoms in some people, even though they do not have HIV.
HIV is diagnosed by testing your blood or oral mucus for the presence of antibodies to the virus. Unfortunately, HIV tests aren’t accurate immediately after infection because it takes time for your immune system to make these antibodies — usually about 12 weeks after infection. Rarely, it can take up to six months for an HIV test to become positive
Skin, mouth, genital symptoms — A characteristic feature of acute HIV infection is open sores or ulcers involving the mucous membranes and skin in certain areas of the body. They may be located in the mouth; the esophagus (throat, which extends from the mouth to the stomach); the anus; or the penis. Ulceration involving the esophagus often causes pain during swallowing. The ulcers tend to be shallow, with sharply defined edges, and are typically swollen and painful.
Everyone has had days where they were feeling a little “blue”. We all have been “down in the dumps” or felt “blah” But when these feelings last longer than a couple weeks you may be suffering from depression.
HIV-infected individuals are more prone to severe malaria than non-infected individuals. Malaria also causes a seven-fold increase in the HIV viral load of people with HIV infection. People with HIV infection should therefore take extra precautions when visiting malarial areas.
In most patients, symptoms of HIV begin about two to four weeks after exposure. However, there have been instances in which up to 10 months have passed between exposure and the first signs and symptoms of HIV infection.
Weight loss is a common problem in HIV and AIDS. Unless you are actively trying to lose weight by exercising and watching what you eat, weight loss is a serious problem.
Many illnesses have flu-like symptoms or cause swollen glands. You cannot have HIV unless you have been directly exposed to the virus. HIV can be transmitted during sexual intercourse with an infected person, through contact with infected blood or breastmilk, or during unsafe injections or medical procedures.
More serious symptoms include heavy bleeding if you are injured. Rarely, brain infections such as meningitis can affect people with HIV infection.
Watch the video related to HIV
HIV and AIDS are not the same thing, but the virus can lead to the disease. Learn how in this video. See more videos on HIV & AIDS: www.sexhealthguru.com
Help answer the question about HIV
? ? ? HIV ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?I flew to Bolivia during May. The 21st, I decided to enjoy my birthday and go to a high class bar. I had intercourse with a sex worker from that place. While having intercourse, she realized the condom broke and I finished myself off. This was vaginal intercourse and did about 4 positions. Afterwards, I wasn't really scared. But now, am SUPER worried. My health status before this incident has been 100% healthy. But recently, my testicles seem warm, the tip of my penus is red, and it seems like I have some clear discharge. While my stay in Bolivia, I recall I was sick most of my stay. After the few days I arrived, I had diarrhea and felt weird. After the intercourse I woke up the next day and developed a sore throat. I started feeling tired and slept allot. This is also when my symptoms of an STD started to appear.
I went to Planned Parenthood, and the nurse practitioner thinks I might have Chlamydia. Am waiting for my exams for Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea. All though I haven't been worrying much, my recent arrival to the US has been different. I worry if I might have HIV. I feel sick right now, I feel warmer than usual, sore throat, and my lymph nodes below my jaw seem swollen. My questions is could this be the ARS symptoms or just the change my body has gone through from USA to Bolivia. I want to get tested for HIV, but the waiting time is killing me. Am thinking about getting tested at 6, 8, and 12 weeks. Really, what are my chances of getting HIV?
Please, no dumb comments. I don't know what to do right now. I never expected for this to occur during my summer. Am just really worried. If I had HIV, Would I tell my parents? How would I pay for the medication? What would I do with my university studies?
If you want to talk to me my e-mail is mielita360@hotmail.com
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