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9 symptoms indicating that you have HIV
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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On December 1, the whole world will celebrate World AIDS Day. On the eve of this date, which serves as a reminder to mankind of the need to stop the global spread of the "plague of the 21st century," Ilive will talk about the most common symptoms of HIV. Many infected people may not even know about the infection. The first symptoms of HIV and AIDS are fuzzy and vague.
According to Dr. Michael Horberg, director of the research unit at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Consortium in Oakland, California, it is very important to be tested for HIV infection, especially if a person has had unprotected sex with more than one partner or used intravenous drugs.
Most infected at first do not feel any signs of the disease and the disease can be detected only when the blood is analyzed. The period from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first clinical symptoms can last from several weeks to six months.
Fever
One of the first signs of HIV infection is an increase in body temperature - up to 38 degrees. She can hold out at one mark for two or three days. As a rule, high fever is accompanied by fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes and sore throat.
"The virus, getting into the blood, begins to multiply at a rapid pace and in large quantities," says Dr. Horberg.
Fatigue
Acute inflammatory reaction of the immune system is the natural response of the body to the invasion of foreign agents. Therefore, a person can feel a breakdown, both short-term and permanent.
Enlargement of lymph nodes
Symptoms of HIV infection resemble flu-like symptoms and people often do not attach importance to them. Lymph nodes in the inguinal and axillary regions, as well as in the neck, are enlarged.
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Poor appetite, diarrhea
The immunodeficiency virus has a strong effect on appetite and gastrointestinal tract. An infected person may feel a loss of interest in food, he may develop diarrhea and begin a rapid weight loss.
Pain in muscles and joints
Pain in the joints and muscles in combination with enlarged lymph nodes can again be misleading about the disease with the flu and other colds.
Respiratory system
Some of the most serious symptoms of HIV are associated with the respiratory system. Usually they can appear already in the course of the disease. Difficulty breathing, coughing or sore throat can be a sign of pneumocystis or bacterial pneumonia.
Skin and mucous membranes
Many of the symptoms of HIV infection are the result of damage to the weakened organism by bacteria, viruses and fungi. A white scurf on the tongue may indicate a candidiasis or thrush, and red, purple or brown spots - about Kaposi's sarcoma.
Deformation of nail plates
Another sign of HIV infection is the change in the nail plates. They undergo deformation, thickening, become brittle and begin to separate. Also on the surface appear black or brown lines, going vertically or horizontally. This can often be caused by a fungal infection.
Herpes
Oral and genital herpes can appear at a late stage of HIV. In the presence of genital herpes, you need to be careful, because a healthy person at risk of contracting infection due to infection in open sores, which facilitates infection in the body during intercourse.