Paid Ad
Personalabs.com = quick, affordable, and discreet HIV testing, health testing, drug testing, and sexually transmitted disease testing.

HIV Symptoms and Early Warning Signs

Q - How do I know if I have HIV?

A - If you notice any HIV symptoms and early warning signs, you may be infected; but the only way you can know for sure is if you take a screening test.

Q - What are the symptoms of HIV?

A - When an individual is newly infected with HIV, there are usually no immediate symptoms. When the symptoms appear, they are non-specific, vague and may mimic a flu or another acute viral illness. The symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, wide spread swelling of the lymph nodes and skin rash.

When the infection becomes more advanced, other symptoms begin to appear. These include: oral thrush (whitish patches in the mouth), vaginal candidiasis, and persistent diarrhoea.

Note - All these symptoms are symptoms that can also be seen in other conditions. That's why a test is the sure way to confirm a negative or positive status.

Q - How early do these symptoms appear?

A - The HIV symptoms and early warning signs begin to appear as early as 2 weeks after infection when the acute viral illness starts.

Q - How long do the symptoms last?

A - The initial symptoms may last for 1 week to 1 month after which there is a long period during which there are no symptoms.

Q - How can I confirm that they are really HIV symptoms?

A - Many of these so-called "HIV symptoms and early warning signs" are non-specific. This means that they are symptoms that can be seen in other disease conditions and not only in HIV. So the best way to confirm that anyone has HIV is by doing a test. More on HIV testing.

Q - What should I do if I notice any of these symptoms?

A - If you notice any of the HIV symptoms and early warning signs mentioned above, you should see a doctor or visit the nearest HIV/AIDS counseling and testing centre.

Q - Where can I find more information?

A - You can get more information from:

1. Your doctor.
2. Your National HIV/AIDS network or a testing centre close to you.
3. Click this link for online sources of information on HIV symptoms and early warning signs.

Created - August, 2006