1. Fever:
If you have practised unprotected sex, watch out for temperatures as a symptom of HIV. Early after being infected by HIV, you may experience flu-like symptoms. This can include a low-grade fever that does not respond to medication.
You may experience night sweats as a response to the fever. The fever is an inflammatory reaction to the virus entering your bloodstream.
You may experience night sweats as a response to the fever. The fever is an inflammatory reaction to the virus entering your bloodstream.
2. A sore Throat:
A Sore throat may be an early indicator of HIV infection. This may be the first symptom as the body reacts to the viral infection.
It can also occur later in the disease as the infected individual's immune system becomes compromised. A sore throat may be caused by thrush in the mouth or oesophagus and ulcers.
Chronic throat problems should be checked out by your family doctor.
It can also occur later in the disease as the infected individual's immune system becomes compromised. A sore throat may be caused by thrush in the mouth or oesophagus and ulcers.
Chronic throat problems should be checked out by your family doctor.
3. Body Pain:
Sore muscles and joint pain are common symptoms of HIV infection that occur in the early flu-like phase. This can be caused by the swollen lymph nodes, or from rheumatic illnesses.
The rheumatic disease affects the muscles and joints of the body, causing inflammation. This disease can lead to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and vasculitis.
Some HIV medications can also cause these symptoms.
The rheumatic disease affects the muscles and joints of the body, causing inflammation. This disease can lead to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and vasculitis.
Some HIV medications can also cause these symptoms.
4. A cough:
A dry, persistent cough can be a long term symptom of HIV infection. This symptom is not typically cured with medications like antibiotics and cough suppressants.
Coughing may be an early symptom as the body reacts to the new virus. It is also a long term symptom caused by the damaged immune system. A cough may develop into pneumonia, which can be a severe symptom with dangerous effects.
Coughing may be an early symptom as the body reacts to the new virus. It is also a long term symptom caused by the damaged immune system. A cough may develop into pneumonia, which can be a severe symptom with dangerous effects.
5. Swollen Lymph Nodes:
Swollen lymph nodes may be a starting sign of HIV infection. 67% of HIV sufferers may experience some sort of lymph node swelling. This commonly occurs in the neck, underarms, and groin region.
Lymph nodes are distributed all throughout the body so any abnormal swelling could be a symptom. Lymph nodes swell as the immune system is activated and the body fights off infection.
Lymph nodes are distributed all throughout the body so any abnormal swelling could be a symptom. Lymph nodes swell as the immune system is activated and the body fights off infection.
6. Headaches:
One of the first symptoms of the flu-related symptoms of HIV is an unrelenting headache. The problems may develop into chronic debilitating migraines. Migraines become chronic after affecting a person for 15 or more days per month. 50% of people infected with HIV will experience headaches as a symptom, while 27% will experience chronic migraines. This is compared to the general population, where only 2% of people suffer from chronic migraines.
7. Weight Loss:
Weight loss in HIV infected individuals is prevalent through the progression of the disease. When first infected, the flu-like symptoms can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting. This can cause a temporary loss in weight. As the illness progresses, weight loss can be caused by a condition called “AIDS wasting”.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services categorise a person as having AIDS wasting when they have lost 10% or more of their body weight, and have experienced related weight loss symptoms for a period greater than 30 days.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services categorise a person as having AIDS wasting when they have lost 10% or more of their body weight, and have experienced related weight loss symptoms for a period greater than 30 days.
8. Yeast Infection:
As HIV develops, the infected person's immune system becomes compromised. One of the starting symptoms of a failing immune system is human infections. Yeast infections are prevalent, and they affect more than just women. The cause of this infection is a fungus called Candida. It can change the body in different ways, such as vaginal yeast infections, thrush, intestinal infections, and more.
Getting rid of these infections may prove futile until HIV medication is in place.
Getting rid of these infections may prove futile until HIV medication is in place.
9. Fatigue:
Fatigue associated with HIV may be the most under-reported symptom. Many people suffer from chronic fatigue but do not realise it is a medical condition.
Chronic fatigue is tiredness that cannot be alleviated with rest. Fatigue is first reported in the flu-like symptoms that accompany the early stages of HIV. Once this phase is complete, fatigue may not appear until AIDS develops.
Chronic fatigue is tiredness that cannot be alleviated with rest. Fatigue is first reported in the flu-like symptoms that accompany the early stages of HIV. Once this phase is complete, fatigue may not appear until AIDS develops.
10 Skin Rash:
Skin rash is one of the most common symptoms of HIV. Called the “HIV rash”, this symptom can be seen in approximately 85% of cases. The rash may develop into blisters at the warm moist areas of the body, including genitals and facial regions.
Most rashes develop on the trunk of the body. The appearance of the outbreak is red bumps that may itch and peel.
Most rashes develop on the trunk of the body. The appearance of the outbreak is red bumps that may itch and peel.
11. Night Sweats:
As the HIV infection develops in the body, flu-like symptoms can appear. One of the most annoying and notable symptoms is night sweats. The sufferer may go to bed at a suitable temperature, but through the night may experience widely ranging body temperatures, going from very cold to very hot quite quickly.
The physical response of the body is to pour sweat to regulate the temperature. The person may wake up soaking wet and have to change their sheets and clothing.
The physical response of the body is to pour sweat to regulate the temperature. The person may wake up soaking wet and have to change their sheets and clothing.
12. Cold Sores:
Cold sores can be a symptom of HIV. Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. It can occur as genital, rectal, or oral herpes.
Anyone can be infected with herpes, regardless of their HIV status. Those who are infected with HIV and have cold sores may suffer from recurrent outbreaks of the herpes virus.
Anyone can be infected with herpes, regardless of their HIV status. Those who are infected with HIV and have cold sores may suffer from recurrent outbreaks of the herpes virus.
13. Note:
The most dangerous sign of HIV is having none at all. Many of those infected do not know they are. This can be particularly dangerous as the person may continue to have unprotected sex, potentially spreading the disease.
In 2001, it was estimated that less than 1% of the population has been tested for HIV.
In South Africa, it is estimated that over 5 million people are infected. If you think you are at risk for HIV, get tested right away.
