HIV symptoms might vary from person to person, although the initial indicators of infection often show up during the first two months. Not everyone will have severe flu-like symptoms, which are your body’s natural defenses against the infection. However, many individuals will. This period is referred to as “seroconversion.” Since your viral load is so high and your risk of spreading HIV is so high at this period, it is essential to determine if HIV is the reason.
One of the early symptoms of HIV in men is typically a fever. Your body temperature rises over the usual range when you have a fever, which frequently produces perspiration, chills, and shaking. In addition to the fever, other mild symptoms such as fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a scratchy throat are common. The virus has entered circulation and is quickly multiplying. As a result, your immune system initiates an inflammatory reaction.
Because your immune system is weaker, it may produce an inflammatory response that makes you tired and sleepy. When moving around, you might feel out of breath or tired sometimes. Tiredness can be a sign of HIV both early on and later on. Pay attention to your body and how you live to see if any of the many things that could be making you tired can be found. If you’re tired and it doesn’t go away, you should see a doctor.
Your lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system, protect your blood by getting rid of viruses and other germs. When they have an infection, they often get red and swollen. Since many of them are in your armpit, groin, and neck, you may feel aches and pains in those places. You can’t tell if you have HIV by looking at these signs and symptoms, because they are common to many viral illnesses.
Digestive problems are a common early sign of HIV in many people. But nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea can show up in the later stages of the illness, usually because of an opportunistic infection. It’s crucial to drink enough water and it is advisable to seek a doctor’s guidance to help discover the reason for persistent diarrhoea that is unrelenting and does not improve with standard medication.
A common symptom of extremely sick HIV patients is a persistent, dry cough that can last for weeks or months without going away (even with medications and inhalers). Anyone experiencing such recurring symptoms should visit a doctor, especially if they are getting worse. Extreme perspiration that occurs repeatedly during the night causes nightwear and bedding to become sodden. Night sweats are a common symptom of HIV in its early stages. These are unrelated to activity or room temperature and may become significantly more prevalent later in the illness.
HIV testing is essential to guarantee a correct diagnosis given the wide range of symptoms. It’s crucial to get tested as soon as possible if you have any suspicions that you may have been exposed to HIV or if you engage in frequent intercourse with unrelated people, regardless of whether you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus or not.
