HIV signs and symptoms
In this video, Dr Justin Sim will discuss HIV signs and symptoms.
HIV symptoms vary depending on individual and stage of disease.
Acute Retroviral Syndrome - ARS
2 to 4 weeks after initial HIV infection a person may start developing symptoms. This is called acute retroviral syndrome or ARS. Common symptoms of ARS include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, body pains and headache.
You should not assume you have HIV if you have any of these symptoms. These symptoms can be also caused by other illnesses. Conversely, not everyone who is infected with HIV develops ARS. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all.
Clinical Latency Stage
The disease will progress to clinical latency stage where the virus is developing in the body but no symptoms are seen. During this stage, HIV in the body multiplies and causes the immune system to weaken; as the viral loads increases, CD4 decreases.
When CD4 decreases, a person will be prone to opportunistic infections. Since a person with HIV can remain symptom free, it is impossible to know his or her HIV status without a HIV test.
If you are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), you may live with clinical latency for several decades because treatment helps keep the virus in check.
For people who are not on ART, this clinical latency stage lasts an average of 8 - 10 years, but some people may progress through this phase faster.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - AIDS
HIV progresses to AIDS when your immune system is seriously damaged. AIDS can cause severe symptoms including rapid weight loss, recurring fever, profuse night sweats, extreme tiredness, swollen glands, diarrhoea, mouth sores, lung infections and neurological disorders.
It is impossible to know your HIV status unless you get tested for HIV.
Find out more about HIV related health information
http://bit.ly/HIV-Health-Articles
More on HIV Symptoms
http://bit.ly/HIV-symptoms
More about HIV Testing
http://bit.ly/HIV-testing-singapore
More about HIV PEP
http://bit.ly/HIV-PEP
HIV symptoms vary depending on individual and stage of disease.
Acute Retroviral Syndrome - ARS
2 to 4 weeks after initial HIV infection a person may start developing symptoms. This is called acute retroviral syndrome or ARS. Common symptoms of ARS include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, body pains and headache.
You should not assume you have HIV if you have any of these symptoms. These symptoms can be also caused by other illnesses. Conversely, not everyone who is infected with HIV develops ARS. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all.
Clinical Latency Stage
The disease will progress to clinical latency stage where the virus is developing in the body but no symptoms are seen. During this stage, HIV in the body multiplies and causes the immune system to weaken; as the viral loads increases, CD4 decreases.
When CD4 decreases, a person will be prone to opportunistic infections. Since a person with HIV can remain symptom free, it is impossible to know his or her HIV status without a HIV test.
If you are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), you may live with clinical latency for several decades because treatment helps keep the virus in check.
For people who are not on ART, this clinical latency stage lasts an average of 8 - 10 years, but some people may progress through this phase faster.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - AIDS
HIV progresses to AIDS when your immune system is seriously damaged. AIDS can cause severe symptoms including rapid weight loss, recurring fever, profuse night sweats, extreme tiredness, swollen glands, diarrhoea, mouth sores, lung infections and neurological disorders.
It is impossible to know your HIV status unless you get tested for HIV.
Find out more about HIV related health information
http://bit.ly/HIV-Health-Articles
More on HIV Symptoms
http://bit.ly/HIV-symptoms
More about HIV Testing
http://bit.ly/HIV-testing-singapore
More about HIV PEP
http://bit.ly/HIV-PEP
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