HIV Signs and Symptoms

HIV moves through various stages, each having distinct symptoms.

Symptoms during the early stage of HIV: Early signs of HIV can manifest within 2 to 4 weeks post-infection. These initial symptoms may persist for several weeks.

Symptoms and Treatment Options for HIV Infection

These symptoms include:

Fever
Rash
Muscle aches, joint pain, and headaches
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat

Symptoms during the clinical latency stage of HIV: Following the early phase, HIV enters a stage known as clinical latency or chronic HIV infection. Few, if any, symptoms are evident during this stage, and when they do occur, they're generally mild. Without treatment, this stage can last a decade or longer. For those undergoing treatment, this phase can extend for many decades without advancing to the final stage.

Some mild symptoms during the chronic HIV infection stage are:

Fever
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Weight loss
Other yeast or viral infections

Symptoms during the last stage of HIV: Without treatment, the disease may progress to its final stage within about a decade, leading to AIDS.

The signs and symptoms of HIV during AIDS are:

Recurring fever
Night sweats
Weight loss
Chronic diarrhea
Rash
Persistent fatigue
Sores in the mouth
Ongoing swelling of lymph nodes
Pneumonia
Depression, memory loss

Treatment for HIV

Treatment for HIV should ideally start immediately after a positive diagnosis.

Upon noticing the initial warning signs of HIV, it's crucial to consult a doctor and arrange for a test to confirm the infection. There is a wide array of treatment options for HIV, each combating the virus in a unique way. Doctors often prescribe these treatments in combinations of 2 to 3 different drugs. This strategy helps prevent the virus from becoming resistant to any particular drug type.

Beginning HIV treatment early is vital, particularly if the CD4 count is below 350, if a person is pregnant, undergoing treatment for infections such as hepatitis, or if the symptoms are severe.

Doctors develop an HIV treatment plan after assessing the patient's CD4 count. The goal of HIV treatment is to reduce the viral load in the body. Treatment plans vary among individuals based on their health status and stage of HIV.

Symptoms and treatment options for HIV infection