HIV is a manageable health condition. But left untreated, HIV can progress to stage 3 even if no symptoms are present. Depending on the phase of HIV, symptoms can vary. During this stage, most people experience common flu-like symptoms that may be hard to distinguish from a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection.
The next phase is the clinical latency stage. During this stage, people experience no symptoms while the viral infection progresses at very low levels. This period of latency can last a decade or longer. Many people show no symptoms of HIV during this entire year period.
The final phase of HIV is stage 3. During this phase, the immune system is severely damaged and is vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Once HIV progresses into stage 3, symptoms associated with infections may become apparent.
These symptoms can include:. During this phase, the bloodstream contains higher levels of HIV, which makes it easy to transmit it to others. Since not everyone has early symptoms of HIV, getting tested is the only way to know if the virus has been contracted.
An early diagnosis also allows an HIV-positive person to begin treatment. HIV preferentially infects defensive white blood cells, so when there are more of them around, it's easier to contract HIV. Look out for unexplained, drenching night sweats that are so intense that they may soak your bed sheets.
Night sweats also known as sleep hyperhidrosis occur frequently in people with HIV, often because of an undiagnosed opportunistic infection or as a direct result of HIV itself. If you're experiencing night sweats and are not sure what to do, discuss it with your healthcare provider and get an HIV test if you haven't already done so. It may not be HIV in the end since night sweats can be caused by other conditions, such as the flu or a fever , but getting tested can provide you a peace of mind moving forward.
Weight loss is commonly seen in people who have a long-term HIV infection, usually in more advanced stages of the disease. If you've been holding off getting tested and are suddenly shedding a worrying amount of weight that may be accompanied by weeks of chronic diarrhea , now should be the time to visit your healthcare provider and get tested.
Don't delay. As counterintuitive as it might seem, the most likely symptom of HIV is no symptom at all. This is particularly true during the early stages of the disease , where as many as two out of three newly infected individuals will be wholly unaware of their infection.
That's not to say that these very same people might not suspect that they've been exposed to HIV. In many cases, if a person has had unprotected sex, he or she might worry for a couple of weeks.
Then, if nothing happens and there are no signs of illnesses, the person assumes that everything is A-OK. It's important to never assume that not having symptoms is the same thing as not having HIV. If you're ever in doubt, get tested right away. It's easy, it's confidential, and it will get rid of the stress of not knowing. And, if you ever fear that you've been exposed to the virus, don't wait to take action.
Drugs called post-exposure prophylaxis PEP are available, which may avert infection if they're taken less than 72 hours after unprotected sex or other high-risk activities. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.
It may vary from person to person, but it often appears on the abdomen, arms, legs, or face. It typically lasts one to two weeks. Women have most of the same HIV symptoms as men, but they may have some additional signs to watch for.
These can include frequent vaginal yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and menstrual cycle changes such as skipping periods. Get information on prevention, symptoms, and treatment to better ensure a long and healthy life. Moyer VA. Screening for HIV: U. Ann Intern Med. A condom should be worn once the penis is erect, as HIV can also be transmitted via pre-ejaculatory fluids.
It is recommended that you use a lubricant but not oil-based ones, such as petroleum jelly or baby oil, which will cause the condom to break down; you should use only water-based lubricants such as K-Y jelly or Durex lubricants etc. Refrain from sharing needles with anyone. Related Articles Related Stories. Related Articles Related Stories More.
Browse Live Healthy. Catalog-Item Reuse. HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community. El VIH es una amenaza de salud grave para las comunidades latinas, quienes se encuentran en gran desventaja respecto de la incidencia de esta enfermedad en los Estados Unidos.
Want to stay abreast of changes in prevention, care, treatment or research or other public health arenas that affect our collective response to the HIV epidemic? Or are you new to this field? Menu HIV. GOV Search Search. Symptoms of HIV. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information so you can take steps to keep yourself and your partner s healthy: If you test positive , you can take medicine to treat HIV. Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best thing you can do to stay healthy.
If your viral load stays undetectable, you have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex. If you test negative , there are more HIV prevention tools available today than ever before. Was this page helpful?
0コメント