12 симптомов: как не упустить ВИЧ из виду?

Did you have unprotected sex with someone you didn’t know? Or had a blood transfusion during your hospital stay? Worried that the blood donation drive you went for might have used unsterilised needles? The problem with an ailment like HIV/AIDS is most people believe they can’t get it but the virus knows no class. But before you go for a test, look for these symptoms which might be suggestive of being infected with the virus:

Recurring fever: Fever is body’s first response to any infection or invasion of foreign bodies. If one is infected with HIV, it is possible to experience flu-like symptoms sometime during the initial four weeks, after being infected with the virus. This is called acute retroviral syndrome or ARS or primary HIV infection. This is the body’s natural response to HIV. Fever due to an HIV infection can be the first sign of ARS and can be a mild one rising up to 102 degree F. Usually fever would be accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and nausea tendencies. While the fever persists, the virus moves deep into the bloodstream and starts to replicate, disrupting the functioning of the immune system leading to an inflammatory reaction.

Skin rashes: Unexplained skin rashes which happen devoid of any allergic reaction or drug overdose should put you on alert. These rashes can occur either early or later when the infection has taken a toll on your health. They can appear as red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids. If the skin rash continues to persist despite medication, consider undergoing an HIV test.

Swollen lymph nodes: Remember lymph nodes are part of your immune system and can be the ones to be affected first in response to the inflammatory reaction of the immune system. Fever and swollen lymph nodes can also be indicative of any other health crisis. But prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck should make you worried.

Prolonged fatigued: Extreme and unexplained tiredness is a sign that something is amiss in your body. With HIV infection the besieged immune system makes your body lethargic and tires you soon than expected.

Muscle and joint pains: Swollen lymph node along with aching muscles and joint pains is another prominent symptom.

Extreme headache: Headaches with fever and joint pains can again be a symptom of some other health condition but it is also a common occurrence with HIV infection.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week is a matter of concern. Unremitting diarrhea which doesn’t stop even after medication could be a possible symptom of HIV infection.

Rapid and unexplained weight loss: Watch out for this closely. Rapid weight loss along with diarrhea could mean that the virus has already depleted your systems to the maximum. Losing 10 percent of body weight along with diarrhea and nausea might not have any more good news in store for you.

Pneumonia: Cough, cold, weight loss, diarrhea all this leading to pneumonia could be indicative of HIV infection. Remember pneumonia is a very common occurrence for people affected with HIV.

Night sweats: Many people suffering from the infection get night sweats which are not related to any temperature change or excessive workouts.

Fungal infection: A fungal infection that attacks your nails making them look yellow, discoloured, thickened or brittle is a sign of a secondary infection after being infected with HIV. Similarly thrush in the mouth due to a fungal infection can be indicative of the same.

Memory loss or depression: Though this might happen in the later stages of the illness but is obviously a sign to watch out for.