HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system, destroying the types of white blood cells that help the body to fight infection and disease. Tests are the only sure way to determine if you have HIV. There are several symptoms you can look for to serve as a warning that you have an infection.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Early Symptoms
Step 1. Determine if you are experiencing acute fatigue for no apparent reason
Fatigue can be a sign of many different illnesses, but it is a symptom that many people with HIV have. This symptom shouldn't worry you so much if it's the only thing you're feeling, but it is something that should be investigated further.
- Acute fatigue is not the same as simply feeling drowsy. Do you feel tired all the time, despite having a good night's sleep? Do you feel like you're taking more naps than usual, and avoiding strenuous activities because you feel low on energy? This type of fatigue should be given more attention.
- If these symptoms persist for several weeks or months, be sure to get an HIV test.
Step 2. Watch out for fever or excessive sweating at night
These symptoms usually occur during the early stages of HIV infection, during what is known as the primary or acute stage of HIV infection. Again, many people do not have these symptoms, but those who do, usually experience them 2 to 4 weeks after contracting HIV.
- Fever and night sweats are also symptoms of the common cold and flu. If it's flu or cold season, that's probably what you're going through.
- Chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and headaches, which are also symptoms of colds and flu, can also be early signs of HIV infection.
Step 3. Check for swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin
The lymph nodes swell in response to the body's infection. It does not occur in everyone who has primary HIV, but among those who do have symptoms, it is a common symptom.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck tend to occur more often than in the armpits or groin in people with HIV infection.
- Lymph nodes can swell as a result of various types of infections, such as a cold or flu, so further investigation is needed to determine the cause.
Step 4. Watch for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
These symptoms, which are commonly associated with the flu, can also indicate early HIV infection. Get tested if these symptoms persist.
Step 5. Watch for ulcers (ulcers) in the mouth and genitals
If you notice an ulcer in your mouth along with other symptoms, especially if you don't get thrush often, this may be a sign of primary HIV infection. Ulcers on the genitals may also be an indication of the presence of HIV.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Advanced Symptoms
Step 1. Don't underestimate a dry cough
These symptoms occur in advanced stages of HIV, sometimes years after the virus enters and is buried in the body. This seemingly harmless symptom is often overlooked at first, especially if it occurs during allergy season or during cough and cold season. If you have a dry cough and you can't get rid of it by taking allergy medicine or using an inhaler, it could be a symptom of HIV.
Step 2. Look for irregular (red, brown, pink, or purplish) spots on the skin
People with advanced HIV infection often have rashes on their skin, especially on the face and chest. It can also appear inside the mouth and nose. This is a sign that HIV is progressing to AIDS.
- Red and scaly skin is also a sign of advanced HIV. The spots can also look like boils or bumps.
- Skin rashes don't usually accompany a cold or a cold, so if you have these symptoms along with other symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Step 3. Watch if you get pneumonia (pneumonia)
Pneumonia often affects people whose immune system is not working properly for other reasons. People who have advanced HIV are susceptible to getting pneumonia from bacteria that under normal circumstances do not cause such a severe reaction.
Step 4. Check for yeast infection, especially in the mouth
Patients with advanced HIV usually develop a yeast infection in the mouth, called thrush. This condition looks like white spots or other unusual spots on the tongue and inside the mouth. This is a warning sign that the immune system is ineffective against infection.
Step 5. Check your nails for signs of fungus
Nails that are yellow or brown in color, and cracked or peeled, are common signs in patients with advanced HIV. Nails become more susceptible to fungus, which the body can normally fight off under normal conditions.
Step 6. Determine if you are experiencing rapid weight loss with no known cause
In the early stages of HIV, this can be caused by excessive diarrhea; at an advanced stage, it's known as "throwing out," and is the body's strong reaction to the presence of HIV in the system.
Step 7. Pay attention to problems related to memory loss, depression, or other neurological diseases
HIV affects the cognitive function of the brain at an advanced stage. This is a serious symptom and should be investigated no matter the cause.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding HIV
Step 1. Find out if you are at risk for HIV
There are several different situations that can put you at risk of contracting HIV. If you experience any of the following situations, you are at risk of contracting it:
- You have had unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
- You have shared a needle or syringe.
- You have been diagnosed or received treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (STD), tuberculosis, or hepatitis.
- You received a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, years when safety precautions were not implemented to prevent the use of contaminated blood in transfusions.
Step 2. Don't wait for symptoms to appear to get tested
Many people who have HIV do not know they have it. This virus can be carried in your body for more than ten years before symptoms begin to appear. If you have reason to think that you may have HIV, don't delay testing because there are no symptoms. It's best to find out as soon as possible.
Step 3. Get tested for HIV
This is the most accurate measurement to determine whether you have HIV or not. Contact your local health clinic, red cross, doctor, or other health practitioner in your city to find out where to get the test.
- TTes are easy, affordable, and reliable (in most cases). The most common test is done by taking a blood sample. There are also tests that use oral fluids (not saliva) and urine. There are even tests you can do at home. If there is no regular doctor who can administer the test, contact the Department of Health in your city.
- If you are having an HIV test, don't let fear keep you from taking your test results. Knowing whether you are infected, or not, will bring about a change in your lifestyle and way of thinking.
Tips
- Get tested if you are in doubt whether you have this disease or not. This is the right and safe course of action for you as well as for others.
- If you have used a home test kit and it comes back positive for infection, you will be given instructions for further testing. Don't avoid this follow-up test. If you do care, make an appointment with a healthcare provider in your city.
- HIV is not a virus that can be transmitted through the air or food. This virus cannot live long outside the body.
Warning
- One-fifth of people infected with HIV in the United States do not know they have the infection.
- Never take discarded needles or syringes.
- STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV.
