{"id":2539,"date":"2018-08-10T04:19:20","date_gmt":"2018-08-10T04:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=2539"},"modified":"2021-10-13T00:19:58","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T00:19:58","slug":"10-typical-hiv-symptoms-for-both-men-and-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/10-typical-hiv-symptoms-for-both-men-and-women\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Typical HIV Symptoms For Both Men and Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Anyone who is sexually active with more than one partner may have concerns about becoming infected with HIV. Anywhere from 40 to 90 percent of people who are infected with the virus will experience flu-like symptoms about a month or two after becoming infected. These symptoms are referred to as ARS or acute retroviral syndrome. There are some people who will not experience any symptoms for years, at times even up to a decade, after they were infected.<\/p>\n

Most commonly a person who has been exposed to HIV will not experience any symptoms during the early stages of the disease. Approximately one out of every five people who are infected with HIV do not know that they have it. This is why testing is extremely important, especially if you are having unprotected sex with multiple partners or if you are using intravenous drugs. Here are some symptoms for both men and women that could be a sign that you are HIV positive.<\/p>\n

1. Fever<\/h3>\n

Running a fever is a common symptom of many different types of ailments. It could mean that you simply have a cold or the flu or it could be a sign of something more serious. One of the very first signs of Acute Retroviral Syndrome is running a mild fever. Typically, the fever will be low grade, up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If a person develops a mild fever at all as a result of HIV, it is often accompanied by several other symptoms.<\/p>\n

This may include a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes<\/a>, or fatigue. The reason for the fever is that the virus has started to move into the bloodstream. During this time it starts to replicate fairly quickly. When this occurs the immune system has an inflammatory reaction, thus causing the body to heat up. While running a fever obviously does not mean that you have HIV, it can be a sign that something is wrong. <\/p>\n

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2. Fatigue<\/h3>\n

HIV<\/a> greatly affects the immune system. When the immune system is under attack it can cause a person to feel quite tired and even lethargic. Feeling fatigued can be a sign that comes quite early when exposed to HIV and is also a later sign of the disease. Feeling fatigued during the early stages of the infection may not be as noticeable.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that fatigue is different from just being tired. When a person is feeling fatigued they often feel like they cannot even move without becoming quite exhausted. Fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses including the flu or mono, which is why it is often difficult for a person to know exactly what is going on. It is often best to see a doctor to be tested for HIV and other illnesses if you are experiencing chronic fatigue. <\/p>\n

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3. Sore Muscles<\/h3>\n

Acute Retroviral Syndrome is often mistaken for another infection or disease such as the flu or mono. It is even often mistaken for hepatitis<\/a> or syphilis. This is not surprising when you understand that many of the symptoms are similar. This includes sore muscles and pain in the joints. The lymph glands often become swollen as well. The lymph nodes are a part of the immune system and they often get inflamed when an infection occurs.<\/p>\n

These lymph nodes are located all over the body including the neck, groin, and armpits. Pain that occurs in the muscles and joints, combined with swollen lymph nodes is typically a sign that there is an infection of some type in the body. If you are feeling lethargic and sore all over and your lymph glands feel swollen, it is a good idea to be tested for HIV, especially if you have unprotected sex regularly with multiple partners or use intravenous drugs. <\/p>\n

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4. Intense Headache<\/h3>\n

Headaches<\/a> occur all the time for different reasons. If you have a severe headache, chances are that you will simply take an over the counter medication and hope that it goes away. However, an intense headache that is accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list could be a signal that you have been infected with HIV. If you are engaging in high-risk behavior, such as unprotected sex or intravenous drug use, it is a good idea to get tested for HIV.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that the body will not produce HIV antibodies for quite some time after infection has occurred. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the HIV antibodies to show up in a blood test. There are other tests available that are more accurate and should be used if you are experiencing any of these symptoms of HIV and have participated in behaviors that put you at risk. <\/p>\n

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5. Skin Rash<\/h3>\n

When it comes to an HIV infection, a skin rash may occur early on in the disease. It may also appear during the later stages of the infection. The rash is rather distinct and often resemble boils. They are often itchy and may appear as pink areas on the extremities or anywhere else on the body. If a rash<\/a> appears and it is not easily treated or explained, it is a good idea to ask for an HIV test.<\/p>\n

The rash is one of the symptoms that most people recognize as a symptom of the virus and getting the appropriate testing completed is the best way to know exactly what you are dealing with. If you have not been feeling well and are suffering from some of the other symptoms on this list, an HIV test should be completed by a medical professional in order to rule it out as the cause. <\/p>\n

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6. Diarrhea, Nausea, or Vomiting<\/h3>\n

Once again, one of the symptoms of HIV is a fairly common symptom of other ailments. A person may experience nausea<\/a>, vomiting, or diarrhea from a number of different ailments. However, during the early stages of HIV anywhere from thirty to sixty percent of people experience short term diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms may also appear later in the infection and can also be a result of antiretroviral therapy.<\/p>\n

Diarrhea that does not respond to normal therapies, could be an indication of HIV. The symptoms may also be caused by an organism that is not typically seen in individuals who do not have HIV. While these gastrointestinal issues are easy to write off to many types of illnesses, it is important to get checked out by your doctor if you are at high risk for HIV and experiencing any of the other symptoms on this list along with vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea. <\/p>\n

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7. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n

Losing weight rapidly is never a good thing. A healthy person may lose a pound or two each week. Someone that is suffering from HIV may see a severe drop in their weight that comes quite quickly. Weight loss<\/a> in a person suffering from HIV is often referred to as \u201cAIDS wasting.\u201d To be considered as having wasting syndrome a person loses ten percent or more of their body weight and suffered from diarrhea, fever, and overall weakness for more than 30 days.<\/p>\n

This symptom often occurs in the more advanced stages of the illness and may be caused by suffering from severe diarrhea and other gestational tissues. A person may be eating as much as possible and still losing weight during this stage. Weight loss is still quite common, but this symptom of HIV is becoming less common thanks to treatment methods for the disease such as antiretroviral therapy. <\/p>\n

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8. Coughing<\/h3>\n

Everyone has had a bad cough at least once in their lives. The common cold can cause a person to go into random coughing<\/a> fits from time to time. However, when a person has a cough that is dry and lasts for a long time, it could be a sign of an HIV infection. The cough associated with HIV can go on for a very long time.<\/p>\n

This cough cannot be fixed with the most common medications such as an inhaler, Benadryl, or antibiotics. This type of cough, one that goes on for weeks and even months at a time, is a very common symptom among those that are suffering from HIV. While it is easy to mistake a bad cough for a cold or other minor illness, the HIV cough is different as it does not go away and can be quite painful for the patient. <\/p>\n

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9. Night Sweats<\/h3>\n

A woman going through menopause will likely tell you how awful hot flashes and night sweats can be. While night sweats may be a symptom of hormonal changes within the body or even another health issue, they are also a common symptom of HIV infections. Around half of those who are infected with HIV will experience night sweats during the early stages of the disease. When using the term night sweats it is important to note this is not just waking up and feeling hot during the nighttime hours.<\/p>\n

Night sweats<\/a> are not necessarily related to the temperature of the room and will often cause a person to soak their sheets in sweat. Both men and women can experience night sweats during the beginning stages of an HIV infection. These sweaty nights can cause extreme discomfort and be difficult to deal with, especially on top of some of the other symptoms of this illness. <\/p>\n

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10. Nail Changes<\/h3>\n

It is common for the nails on your toes and fingers to go through some changes. In fact, your nail beds can become infected at any point. An HIV infection can cause a person\u2019s nails to undergo changes. This may occur in the form of clubbing, where the nails become thicker and curvier or it could cause the nails to begin splitting.<\/p>\n

A person may notice that their nails have become discolored with either brown or black lines running horizontally or vertically through them. They may also appear yellow in color. Typically, these nail issues are caused by a fungal infection<\/a>. A person who has an immune system that is depleted is more susceptible to a fungal infection such as this. Since HIV attacks the immune system of an individual, it makes sense that one of the symptoms of the disease is changes in the nails.<\/p>\n\r\n

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