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What are the early symptoms of HIV infection?
Despite increased awareness about HIV, AIDS and the risks of unprotected sex, many people don't know what the early symptoms of HIV are. While the chances of contracting the virus are still relatively low, it's important to be aware of possible symptoms, particularly if you've recently had sex without a condom.
However, part of the problem is that around a third of people who contract the virus will not display any early symptoms at all. In fact, many live with HIV for years without realizing that they are infected. Of course, the earlier the infection is diagnosed with an HIV test, the better the chances of treatment.
What does HIV do to the body?
HIV is a virus which, in its advanced form, can lead to the terminal condition AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus). It attacks cells in the body which fight infection – leaving you more vulnerable to disease. A person infected with HIV will not necessarily develop AIDS. By the late stages of HIV, symptoms are pronounced and can have a debilitating effect on the sufferer.
However, in its early stages, HIV is known as primary HIV infection. Symptoms usually appear a couple of weeks after exposure and may only last for a short time.
Symptoms Early After Infection - Acute HIV - In emergency departments and family practice offices, people come in with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, rash and diarrhea. In response to these symptoms, physicians diagnose the flu and send the patient on their way. In the majority of cases, their diagnosis proves correct. But unfortunately, a number of people with these vague, indistinct symptoms have a more serious illness than the flu; these symptoms may signal the acute stages of HIV infection.
Early signs to look out for:
Early stage HIV can share many of the same symptoms as common conditions (such as the flu or glandular fever). The key is to work out whether you're experiencing any of the following symptoms following recent unprotected sex:
• Sore and dry throat
• Headache and high fever
• Feeling fatigued and lacking in energy
• Pain in the joints, muscles and lower back
• Feeling nauseous and having a low appetite
• Swollen glands (particularly in the neck and armpits)
• Rash on the chest and occasionally arms
• Diarrhoea
Other common Symptoms of HIV infection that crop up later on are-
• Persistently enlarged lymph nodes which are painful and cannot be treated
• Sudden loss of weight for no reason at all
• Night sweating with cramps and fever
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea not due to food and digestion problems
• Difficulty in focusing with persistent headaches.
• Genital dryness and frequent STDs
• Frequent oral, skin and genital infections
• Kaposi s sarcoma and other types of cancers
• Opportunistic infections not commonly seen in humans
• Neurological symptoms of short term memory loss, senility and eventual comas
You may be interested in reading Early HIV Symptoms and Premature Ejaculation. Also read more Increase Sperm Count
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