Hiv
Symptoms of HIV
Source: NHS
In this topic (11)
Most people who are infected with HIV experiencea short, flu-like illness that occurs two to six weeks after infection. After this, HIV often causes no symptoms for several years.
The flu-like illness that often occurs a few weeks after HIV infection is also known as seroconversion illness. It's estimated that up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this illness.
The most common symptoms are:
- fever (raised temperature)
- sore throat
- body rash
Other symptoms can include:
- tiredness
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- swollen glands (nodes)
The symptoms usually last one to two weeks but can be longer. Theyare a sign that your immune system is putting up a fight against the virus.
However, these symptomsare most commonly caused by conditions other than HIV, and do not mean you have the virus.
If you have several of these symptoms, and you think you have been at risk ofHIV infection within the past few weeks, you shouldget an HIVtest.
After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV will often not cause any further symptoms for many years. During this time, known asasymptomatic HIV infection, the virus continues to be active and causes progressive damage to your immune system. This process can take about 10 years, during which you will feel and appear well.
Once the immune system becomes severely damaged symptomscan include:
- weight loss
- chronic diarrhoea
- night sweats
- skin problems
- recurrent infections
- serious life-threatening illnesses
Earlier diagnosis and treatment of HIV can prevent these problems.
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Articles for Hiv
'Having HIV is not the end of the world'
Mick Mason, who has haemophilia, caught HIV and hepatitis in the early 1980s from contaminated blood products.
'If it wasn’t for HIV, I wouldn’t be where I am today.'
Tina Middleton caught HIV when she was just 20 years old from a partner with haemophilia.
'Many HIV-positive women assume they'll pass on HIV to their baby, but that's not the case these days'
Sarah has HIV. She describes her pregnancy and the steps she had to take to ensure shed have a healthy baby. An expert explains what HIV is and how to avoid passing it on to your unborn child.
'Things have moved on a lot since I was diagnosed with HIV'
Michael Edwards contractedHIV in 1990. He is now 62 and is still working and leading a healthy life. The first sign was a bad dose of flu. Like me, my GP is
Causes
Read about the causes of HIV, how it spreads, who's most at risk and its origins in Africa
HIV testing
Read about HIV testing, including when you should get tested, where you can get tested, and what the different tests involve.
Introduction
Read about HIV, a virus most commonly caught by having unprotected sex or by sharing infected needles and other injecting equipment to inject drugs.
Living with HIV
Information for people living with HIV, including medication advice, how to stay healthy and reduce your risk of illness and where to find help and support.
Preventing HIV
Find out how to prevent passing on HIV to others by taking precautions, such as using a condom, when having penetrative vaginal or anal sex.
Symptoms of HIV
Symptoms of early HIV infection, also called primary HIV infection or seroconversion, and AIDS (late-stage HIV infection).
Treating HIV
Treatments for HIV, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV and pregnancy, sperm washing, side effects and getting support.
