Do I Have Hiv Or Aids

Symptoms And Stages Of Hiv Infection

FAST FACTS

• There are three stages of HIV infection. The symptoms vary in type and severity from person-to-person.
• Stage 1 after initial infection can feel like flu but not everyone will experience this.
• Stage 2 is when many people start to feel better and may last for 10 years or more. During this time a person may have no symptoms.
• Stage 3 is when a persons immune system is very badly damaged and can no longer fight off serious infections and illnesses.
• The earlier a person is diagnosed with HIV and starts treatment, the better their health will be over time.
• Some people dont get any symptoms during stages 1 and 2, and may not know they have the virus, but they can still pass on HIV.

The signs of HIV infection can vary in type and severity from person-to-person, and some people may not have any symptoms for many years.

The stages below describe how HIV infection progresses in the body if it is left untreated. Without antiretroviral treatment for HIV, the virus replicates in the body and causes more and more damage to the immune system.

However with effective treatment, you can keep the virus under control and stop it from progressing. This is why its important to start treatment as soon as possible after testing positive.

Who Is At Risk For Hiv Infection

Anyone can get HIV, but certain groups have a higher risk of getting it:

• People who have another sexually transmitted disease . Having an STD can increase your risk of getting or spreading HIV.
• People who inject drugs with shared needles
• Gay and bisexual men, especially those who are Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino American
• People who engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as not using condoms

What Conditions Are Considered To Be Opportunistic

Some of the most common of these OIs/cancers among HIV-positive people include:

Cancer: The types of cancers that are you are more likely to get if you have AIDs include lymphoma, Kaposis sarcoma, invasive cervical cancer, anal cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs.

Candidiasis : This condition is caused by Candida fungus. It can happen in the skin, nails and mucous membranes throughout the body, such as the mouth or the vagina. The cases can be troublesome, but thrush is especially dangerous when it affects the esophagus or parts of the respiratory system .

Pneumonia: This respiratory condition is most commonly caused by _Pneumocystis jirovecii and the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae._

Salmonella: This infection is spread through contaminated food and water. It causes diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Toxoplasmosis: This disease is caused by a parasites that live in cats and rodents and other warm-blooded animals. The infection is spread through the feces. Toxoplasmosis can cause severe problems in the lungs, heart, brain and other organs. If you have a cat, wear gloves to change the litter and be thorough in washing your hands.

Also Check: Does Aids Cause Hair Loss

Stage : Acute Hiv Infection

Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection with HIV, about two-thirds of people will have a flu-like illness. This is the bodys natural response to HIV infection.

Flu-like symptoms can include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mouth ulcers

These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. But some people do not have any symptoms at all during this early stage of HIV.

Dont assume you have HIV just because you have any of these symptomsthey can be similar to those caused by other illnesses. But if you think you may have been exposed to HIV, get an HIV test.

Heres what to do:

How Can I Tell If I Have Hiv Are There Symptoms

Many people who have HIV don’t have any symptoms at all for many years. The only way to know if you’re infected is to get tested.

Don’t wait for symptoms to show up. If you find out you’re infected soon after it happens, you’ll have more options for treatment and care to help prevent you from getting sick.

Recommended Reading: Does Nba Youngboy Have Herpies

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

* Cimduo, Combivir, Descovy, Epzicom, Temixys, Trizivir, and Truvada are combination medicines.

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, check

This information does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

• Talk with your healthcare provider about being tested for HLA-B*5701 prior to taking abacavir or medicines containing abacavir.
• These medicines may cause lactic acidosis .
• These medicines may cause serious liver, pancreas, or kidney problems.
• If you have kidney problems or liver problems, such as hepatitis, talk to your healthcare provider before taking these medicines.
• These medications are taken by mouth. Retrovir can also be given as an intravenous infusion.

WARNING SIGNS

• Stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
• Feeling very weak or tired
• Problems breathing

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, check

This information does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

WARNING SIGNS

• Flu-like symptoms

* Evotaz, Kaletra, and Prezcobix are combination medicines.

IMPORTANT TIPS

Other Prevention Benefits Of Hiv Treatment

In addition to preventing sexual transmission of HIV there are other benefits of taking HIV medication to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load:

• It reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission from pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If a woman living with HIV can take HIV medication as prescribed throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery and if HIV medication is given to her baby for 4-6 weeks after delivery, the risk of transmission from pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be reduced to 1% or less. Scientists dont know if a woman living with HIV who has her HIV under control can transmit HIV to her baby through breastfeeding. While it isnt known if or how much being undetectable or virally suppressed prevents some ways that HIV is transmitted, it is reasonable to assume that it provides some risk reduction.
• It may reduce HIV transmission risk for people who inject drugs. Scientists do not yet know whether having a suppressed or undetectable viral load prevents HIV transmission through sharing needles or other injection drug equipment, but it is reasonable to assume that it provides some risk reduction. Even if you are taking HIV medication and are undetectable, use new equipment each time you inject and do not share needles and syringes with other people.

Topics

Don’t Miss: Can Hiv Cause Hair Loss

I’m Worried About Hiv And Aids

FAST FACTS

• There are only a few ways you can get HIV. Know the facts and be aware of the risks so you can protect yourself and others.
• Testing is the only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV. Whatever the result, you can get on with your life.
• Antiretroviral treatment means that people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. The sooner you get on the right treatment, the better your long-term health will be.

Are you worried about HIV and AIDS? We can help by talking you through some of the most common things people are concerned about when it comes to HIV.

What Are Some Common Myths About People Living With Hiv

There is still a great deal of stigma directed towards those living with HIV. While many people are met with understanding and support, there is a chance that sharing information about your health could go badly.

This is often linked to outdated or limited knowledge about HIV. Some common myths about HIV could cause your employer to react badly:

• All those living with HIV will eventually progress to AIDS and will therefore become a burden
• You will need to take an excessive amount of time off work to manage your HIV
• HIV can be spread through sharing items such as utensils
• HIV can be spread through cuts, bites and so forth
• There are many jobs people with HIV cannot do because they pose a risk to others
• Most people living with HIV are promiscuous or irresponsible

In fact, the vast majority of people living in the UK with HIV are on successful antiretroviral treatment and their health is well-monitored. This leads to a suppression of the virus in their blood until it reaches undetectable levels. People with HIV who have an undetectable viral load are expected to live long, healthy lives. In addition, they cannot infect others through sexual contact.

HIV is not spread through sharing of personal items or through means such as saliva exchange or biting.

Currently in the UK, very few people living with HIV go on to develop AIDS or any AIDS-related complications.

Recommended Reading: How Fast Does Hiv Spread

Stage : The Asymptomatic Stage

Once a person has been through the acute primary infection stage and seroconversion process, they can often start to feel better. In fact, HIV may not cause any other symptoms for up to 10 or even 15 years .

However, the virus will still be active, infecting new cells and making copies of itself. HIV can still be passed on during this stage. If left untreated, over time, HIV infection will cause severe damage to the immune system.

Hiv: A Brief Overview

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted virus that spreads through exposure to certain body fluidsâlike genital secretions or blood. HIV transmission can also occur from a mother to a child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

HIV attacks and impairs the bodyâs immune cells, which weakens the immune system and can eventually progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome if it isnât treated. AIDS can be a life-threatening condition, particularly if HIV treatment is not initiated promptly, which is why HIV testing is crucial for protecting your health.

Learn more: What is the difference between HIV and AIDs?

Don’t Miss: Does Nba Youngboy Have Herpes

Should I Get Vaccines If I Have Hiv/aids

Check with your healthcare provider. Certain vaccines are generally recommended, including:

• Influenza vaccine.
• Human papillomavirus vaccine if you are age 26 or younger.
• Meningococcal series of shots.
• Pneumonia vaccine.
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, with a repeat every 10 years of the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine.

You should probably avoid live vaccines, such as the ones for chickenpox and measles, mumps and rubella . This is true especially if your CD4 numbers are 200 or lower. Make sure you discuss vaccine questions with your healthcare provider.

HIV can affect how well the vaccine works. It can also make your viral load increase for a time because your immune system is stimulated by the vaccine.

What Is The Treatment For Hiv

Individuals who are HIV positive will likely need to see a specialist. As with many other conditions, early detection offers more options for treatment. Today, there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. However, there are other treatments that can prevent or cure the conditions associated with HIV. Anti-retroviral drug therapy may be given to a pregnant woman, which has proven to greatly reduce the chance of an infant developing HIV. A cesarean section may be recommended to reduce infant transmission from the birth canal. In the U.S., where other feeding options are available, an infected mother should be discouraged from breastfeeding her infant. Consult your child’s doctor for more information regarding various drug therapies.

You May Like: Is Hiv In Semen

What Are The Chances Of Becoming Infected If He Doesnt Ejaculate Inside Me

While research suggests that high concentrations of HIV can sometimes be detected in precum, it is difficult to judge whether HIV is present in sufficient quantities for infection to occur. To guard against the possibility of infection with HIV or any other STI it is best to practice safer sex by using condoms.

How Long Can One Live With Hiv Without Knowing

HIV is a cause of death. The latency period between HIV infection and treatment is between 10 and 15 years, according to the CDC. HIV can still be transmitted to others, and this doesnt mean the virus is no longer present. HIV can progress from clinical latent infection to the third and final stage, also known as AIDS, when it is not fully developed.

Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Be Hiv Positive

Can Hiv Be Prevented

To reduce the risk of getting HIV, people who are sexually active should:

• use a condom every time they have sex
• get tested for HIV and make sure all partners do too
• reduce their number of sexual partners
• get tested and treated for STDs having an STD increases the risk of HIV infection
• consider taking a medicine every day if they are at very high risk of getting infected

For everyone:

• Do not inject drugs or share any kind of needle.
• Do not share razors or other personal objects that may touch blood.
• Do not touch anyone else’s blood from a cut or sore.

Hiv Treatment As Prevention

Treatment as prevention refers to taking HIV medication to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. It is one of the highly effective options for preventing HIV transmission. People living with HIV who take HIV medication daily as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners.

TasP works when a person living with HIV takes HIV medication exactly as prescribed and has regular follow-up care, including regular viral load tests to ensure their viral load stays undetectable.

Also Check: Nba Youngboy Has Herpes

How Can I Know If I Have Hiv

The only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV test. Many medical groups recommend routine voluntary HIV screening of all patients aged 18 to 75 years of age as a normal part of medical care. The reason for this is that nearly one out of seven people infected with HIV are not aware that they have the infection.

What Are The Possible Advantages Of Disclosing To Your Employer

According to the Equality Act, HIV is defined as a disability from the point of diagnosis. You do not need to view your HIV as a disability in order to be protected by this law.

The Equality Act protects employees who are HIV-positive from any discrimination at work related to their disability and requires the employer to make any reasonable adjustments. These are changes to the work you do or the physical environment that remove a substantial barrier that a person may experience as a result of their disability. You need to disclose your HIV status for reasonable adjustments to be made.

For people living with HIV, reasonable adjustments could include:

• time off for clinic appointments
• flexible working arrangements
• taking medication at work

In the context of coronavirus, if you are at increased risk due to having a low CD4 count , not being on antiretroviral treatment or having other health conditions, your employer should grant you reasonable adjustments in response to COVID-19. These may include: allowing you to work from home, working in a role that minimises contact with the public, providing you with access to personal protective equipment, or any other measures that could protect your health.

Other possible advantages of sharing information about your health with your employer could include accounting for periods of sickness or temporary poor work performance.

Factors that can affect your decision to share your status can include:

Don’t Miss: How Long Can Hiv Be Dormant

Im Worried About The Test Result

If you test negative, you can stop worrying! For a lot of people testing negative encourages them to take more responsibility for their sexual health as well as their partners health.

If you test positive, its better to know as early as possible so that you can get the right treatment and support. Taking antiretroviral treatment means you can live a healthy life, enjoy sexual relationships, and have HIV-negative children if you want to.

How Long Does It Take To Show Symptoms Of Hiv

Some people notice flu-like symptoms 1-4 weeks after they’re first infected. They often only last a week or two. This stage is called acute or primary HIV infection.

Then, you may go for 10 years or more without further symptoms. This is called asymptomatic HIV infection. Even though you feel fine, the virus is still active in your body. And you can still give it to someone else.

Once HIV has seriously harmed your immune system, you’re at risk for diseases that a healthy body could fight off. In this stage, symptomatic HIV infection, you start to notice problems caused by those “opportunistic” infections.

Don’t Miss: Hiv Gestation Period

Skin Rashes And Skin Sores

Most people with HIV develop skin problems. Rash is a common symptom of HIV, and many different types of skin rashes are associated with the condition. They may be a symptom of HIV itself or the result of a concurrent infection or condition.

If a rash appears, its a good idea to have a healthcare provider review ones medical history. They can use a complete medical history to determine which diagnostic tests are needed.

Sores, or lesions, may also form on the skin of the mouth, genitals, and anus of people with HIV.

With proper medication, however, skin problems may become less severe.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hiv

Some people get flu-like symptoms a month or two after they have been infected. This is called the acute stage. These symptoms often go away within a week to a month.

You can have HIV for many years before feeling ill. This is called clinical latency or the chronic stage.

AIDS is the most severe stage of HIV infection. In this stage, the immune system has been weakened by the HIV virus and is less able to fight off infections. Opportunistic infections are infections that could generally be fought off by a healthy immune system. In order to be diagnosed with AIDS, you have to have fewer than 200 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter of blood , OR you must have developed what are called opportunistic infections or certain cancers. You can develop AIDS even if your CD4 count is not 200 or lower.

Don’t Miss: Is Hair Loss A Symptom Of Hiv