Everything you need to know about the Initial Symptoms of HIV?

HIV stands for the virus that causes immunodeficiency in both males and females. The virus may be present in human blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions. The virus eliminates particular immune system cells, ultimately destroying the immune system. Although most people know the disease, they might not know the potential health effects. It can lead to immunodeficiency, among other conditions. This disease can cause a variety of symptoms to appear as the virus progresses and can also cause other illnesses.

This virus targets the immune system as soon as it enters the body, gradually eroding its defences. Read more about the symptoms and prevention of HIV.

When do the initial signs of HIV manifest?

Early HIV symptoms typically manifest two to four weeks following viral infection. The symptoms may resemble a severe flu episode. They frequently consist of:

• Fever and chills
• Ache
• Rash
• Fatigue.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Sore throat, muscles, or joints
• Reduced weight

Acute retroviral syndrome or acute HIV infection are terms used to describe early HIV signs. The body’s natural reaction to the virus is manifested as symptoms. Many positive individuals experience flu-like symptoms early on, but some do not. Years may pass before a person experiences more severe or persistent symptoms from the infection.

Early HIV symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after the virus is transmitted. Once they have the virus, some people might not show any symptoms.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that these early signs of HIV are also linked to other prevalent diseases and medical disorders. Consider discussing various tests with a healthcare provider to ensure your health status.

Up to ten to fifteen years may pass without any signs. But this does not imply that the infection has vanished. It is a health issue that can only be controlled. However, even without symptoms, the virus can advance to stage 3 if treatment is not received. That is why testing is so crucial.

Later signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS

HIV kills CD4 cells, also known as T cells, immune system cells. It is difficult for your body to fight off illnesses if you don’t have CD4 cells. Furthermore, it increases your risk of developing severe infections from otherwise insignificant infections. AIDS develops over time as a result of the immune system damage caused by HIV.

You may get some rare infections (referred to as opportunistic infections), certain cancers or lose a specific percentage of CD4 cells. At this stage, you are diagnosed with AIDS. This often occurs ten years following HIV infection if treatment is not received. You can postpone or even avoid getting AIDS by receiving treatment.

The signs of AIDS include:

• Thrush (a thick, white coating on your tongue or mouth)
• Sore throat
• Harmful yeast infections
• Pelvic inflammatory illness becoming chronic
• recurring severe infections
• Extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness
• Headaches
• Losing a lot of weight rapidly
• More prone than normal to bruises
• Having persistent diarrhoea, fever, or sweats at night
• Glands in your groin, armpit, or throat that are swollen or firm
• Periods of deep, dry coughing
• Breathlessness Purplish growths within your mouth or on your skin
• Bleeding from the vagina, anus, nose, or mouth
• Rashes on the skin
• Experiencing extreme numbness in your hands or feet, losing reflexes and muscular control, being immobile, and experiencing a decrease in muscle strength

HIV stages

Symptoms of HIV might differ depending on the phase of the virus. The infection in its acute or primary form is the initial stage of the virus which is also known as acute retroviral syndrome. During this period, some individuals may suffer typical flu-like symptoms. It can make it tough to distinguish within a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness.

The clinical latency stage is the following step. Even while the virus remains in the body, its activity decreases. At this stage, the viral infection progresses at very low levels, and people do not exhibit any symptoms. This latency time may extend to ten years or more. Many patients do not show any HIV-related symptoms for the entire ten to fifteen years.

Stage 3 of HIV is the last phase. The immune system is seriously compromised during this stage, making it susceptible to opportunistic infections. When HIV enters stage 3, infection-related symptoms could become noticeable.

Reducing HIV Risk

The following are crucial tactics for HIV prevention:

• Accurately using a condom during sexual activity
• Use pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is essential if an individual has a higher risk of HIV infection

Routine examinations also assess the risk of acquiring the virus and other STIs. Furthermore, the presence of an STI may also increase the chances of HIV infection. The disease currently has no permanent treatment. However, a prompt diagnosis and effective therapy can greatly slow the disease’s progression besides improving quality of life.

Identify the HIV symptoms on time for better treatment

HIV symptoms might differ from person to person. However, the initial 1–2 months of infection are usually marked by symptoms. Flu-like severe symptoms are common but not universal; these are your body’s natural reaction to the virus. The term “seroconversion” refers to this time frame.

Since your viral load is extremely high at this point and you are much more likely to pass it on to others, you must determine whether HIV is the reason. And getting tested is the only surefire way to find out.