HIV symptoms are very difficult to identify, so the best way to confirm your infection with the virus is to get tested for HIV at a clinic or HIV testing and counseling center, especially if a risky episode has occurred., such as unprotected sex or condom sharing.
In some people, the first signs and symptoms appear a few weeks after infection by the virus and are similar to those of the flu, and may disappear spontaneously. However, even if the symptoms have disappeared, this does not mean that the virus has been eliminated and thus remains 'asleep' in the body. Therefore, it is important that the HIV test is done after a risky situation or behavior so that the virus can be identified and, if indicated, the start of treatment, if necessary. See how the HIV test is done.
First symptoms of HIV infection
The first symptoms of HIV infection can appear about 2 weeks after contact with the virus and can be similar to flu, such as:
- Headache; Low fever; Excessive tiredness; Inflamed tongue (ganglia); Sore throat; Joint pain; Canker sores or mouth sores; Night sweats; Diarrhea.
However, in some people, HIV infection does not cause any signs or symptoms, and this asymptomatic phase can last up to 10 years. The fact that there are no signs or symptoms does not mean that the virus has been eliminated from the body, but that the virus is multiplying silently, affecting the functioning of the immune system and the subsequent appearance of AIDS.
Ideally, HIV should be diagnosed during the initial phase, before developing AIDS, as the virus is still in low concentration in the body, making it easier to control its development with drugs. In addition, early diagnosis also prevents the virus from spreading to other people, since from that moment on, you should not have sex without condoms again.
Main symptoms of AIDS
After about 10 years without causing any symptoms, HIV can cause a syndrome known as AIDS, which is characterized by a great weakening of the immune system. When this happens, symptoms reappear, which this time includes:
- Constant high fever; Frequent night sweats; Red patches on the skin, called Kaposi's sarcoma; Difficulty breathing; Persistent cough; White patches on the tongue and mouth; Wounds on the genital region; Weight loss; Memory problems.
At this stage, it is also frequent that the person has frequent infections such as tonsillitis, candidiasis and even pneumonia and, therefore, one can think about the diagnosis of HIV infection, especially when a lot of frequent and repeated infections arise.
When AIDS has already developed, it is much more difficult to try to control the progress of the disease with medications and, therefore, many patients with the syndrome end up needing to be hospitalized to prevent and / or treat the infections that arise.
How AIDS is treated
AIDS treatment is done with a cocktail of medications provided free by the government, which may include the following remedies: Etravirin, Tipranavir, Tenofovir, Lamivudine, Efavirenz, in addition to others that can be combined according to the Ministry of Health protocol.
They fight the virus and increase the quantity and quality of the immune system's defense cells. But, in order for them to have the expected effect, it is necessary to correctly follow the doctor's instructions and use condoms in all relationships, to avoid contamination of others and help control the epidemic of the disease. Learn more about AIDS treatment.
Condom use is important even in sexual relations with partners already infected with the AIDS virus. This care is important, as there are several types of HIV virus and, therefore, partners can be infected with a new type of virus, making it difficult to control the disease.
Understand AIDS better
AIDS is a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system, leaving the individual immunologically fragile and prone to opportunistic diseases that in general would be easily resolved. After the virus enters the body, the defense cells try to prevent its action and, when they appear to succeed, the virus changes its shape and the body needs to produce other defense cells capable of stopping its multiplication.
When there is a smaller amount of HIV virus in the body and a good amount of defense cells, the individual is in the asymptomatic phase of the disease, which can last up to about 10 years. However, when the amount of viruses in the body is much greater than its defense cells, the signs and / or symptoms of AIDS appear, as the body is already weakened and is unable to stop, not even diseases that would be easy to solve. Therefore, the best form of treatment for AIDS is to avoid recontamination with the virus and correctly follow the treatment prescribed according to existing protocols.
