Common Signs of HIV
Article by Leonardi Bracfe
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is similar to other viruses such as flu or common cold causing ones except that unlike other viruses that stay in the body for a short while, once infected a person will always have the virus and is said to be HIV positive.
In some people symptoms of infection are very severe and occur immediately after infection but others may experience none at all. HIV symptoms in men generally develop at a slower pace and with less visibility than in women because their immune systems are stronger and thus more capable of fighting the virus infection.
Signs of HIV are oftentimes non-specific and may be mistaken as signs of other illnesses. It is for this reason that signs are not an appropriate method of determining infection and getting tested for the presence of HIV antibodies is the best way of knowing whether a person has been infected. Early signs of HIV infection occur as the body begins to form antibodies to fight the infection and are usually flu-like symptoms called the seroconversion syndrome. Seroconversion occurs between six weeks to three months after infection. Typical signs of HIV include;
1) Fever2) Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes3) Headache4) Decreased appetitie5) Muscle aches and stiffness6) Diarrhea7) Nausea and vomiting8) Sore throat9) Enlarged liver or spleen10) Oral or vaginal candidiasis (thrush)
These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for other illnesses such as infectious mononucleosis, flu or other viral infections. People infected with the virus are very infectious during this period as HIV particles are in very high quantities in their body fluids.
After this phase of primary infection when these signs of HIV subside an infected person becomes asymptomatic (symptom free) for a long period of about 8 to 10 years or more.
However during this period CD4 cells continue to decline, weakening the immune system and HIV positive people may develop mild signs of HIV such as;
1) Fatigue2) Fungal infection of the nails3) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women that does not respond to medication4) Herpes zoster (Shingles), which is a painful nerve disease that is often accompanied by blisters or rash5) Oral Hairy Leukoplakia, which is identified by a white brush-like border on the sides of the tongue6) Fevers and night sweats7) Chronic skin rashes or flaky skin
Experiencing any of these symptoms should prompt a person to go for HIV testing as a weakening immune system leaves persons at risk of developing more severe HIV complications such as severe weight loss, decline in mental function such as short term memory loss as well as contracting opportunistic infections.
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