The HIV virus that infects a person does not immediately cause severe symptoms. It takes a long time for HIV infection to develop into an AIDS condition.Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
A person infected with HIV will experience three stages of infection. The earliest stage of HIV infection, known as acute infection or seroconversion, usually occurs within 2-6 weeks of exposure. In this stage, the immune system will struggle to conquer the HIV virus.
Understanding the Early Symptoms of HIV
Early symptoms of HIV are so mild and have no distinctive characteristics. Many do not think that the initial symptoms of HIV can be said to be similar to the symptoms that arise due to other viral attacks, such as the flu (flu).flu-like syndrome). The duration of the appearance of symptoms can last for 1-2 weeks.
Some of the conditions below are early symptoms that may appear when infected with HIV:
- FeverOne of the symptoms acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) that first appears is usually a low-grade fever with a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius. These early symptoms can be accompanied by several other symptoms, such as fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat.
- FatigueSimilar to the body's response to viral infections in general, the immune system will also provide an inflammatory response to HIV infection. This will cause the body to feel tired and lethargic as an early symptom of HIV. Similar to the feeling of malaise that is often experienced before the flu.
- Pain in the lymph nodes and musclesPain in joints, muscles, and lymph nodes can also be one of the early symptoms of HIV. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and are more likely to become inflamed during an infection. If the inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, then the armpit, groin, and neck may be painful. In addition, as with other viral infections, early symptoms of HIV can include joint and muscle pain.
These acute symptoms of HIV will then disappear, and enter the second stage of infection, namely the non-symptomatic stage. At this stage, HIV infection will not cause any symptoms for a long time, which is about 5 to 10 years. Even if you don't have symptoms, you can pass HIV on to other people.
Without treatment, then HIV status can progress to enter the third stage. At this time, the immune system is so low that it causes AIDS.
When you have reached the advanced stage of HIV to AIDS, symptoms that may arise can include prolonged fatigue, fever for more than 10 days, shortness of breath, pain in the throat, fungal infections of the skin or vagina, chronic diarrhea (protracted diarrhea that lasts up to weeks), night sweats and unexplained weight loss.
Confirm with HIV Test
From the symptoms above, each patient may experience different symptoms. So symptoms alone can not confirm someone is infected with HIV. Some people who have been infected with HIV for years, do not even feel or do not realize that they have experienced the initial symptoms as above. Even if there are no symptoms, the patient can still transmit the HIV virus to other people.
Early symptoms of HIV are often ignored. Even though you are alert, that doesn't mean you have to worry too much if you experience these complaints. The best way to do when you feel anxious about being infected with HIV is to do an HIV test in a hospital. Screening for early detection of HIV is recommended, especially if you have a history of risky behavior for transmitting HIV infection.
If the test results turn out to be positive, be sure to consult a doctor for recommendations for appropriate treatment. Understand what important steps can be taken to reduce the risk of spreading HIV. If the result is negative, then make sure you fully understand the information provided by the doctor, especially how to prevent and avoid HIV infection.