Early Hiv Symptoms

What are the early symptoms of HIV infection?

Despite increased awareness about HIV, AIDS and the risks of unprotected sex, many people do not know what the early symptoms of HIV. While chances of contracting the virus is still relatively low, it is important to be aware of potential symptoms, especially if you have recently had sex without a condom.

But a part of the problem is that about one third of people who contract the virus will show no early symptoms at all. Indeed. Many are living with HIV in many years without realizing that they are infected obviously, the earlier infection diagnosed with an HIV test, the better the chances of treatment.

What does HIV do to your body?

HIV is the virus, which in its advanced form, could lead to terminal mode Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus). It attacks cells in the body that fight infection - gives you more vulnerable to disease. A person infected with HIV will not necessarily develop AIDS. By the late stages of HIV, symptoms are pronounced and can have a debilitating effect on the sufferer.

However, at early stages is HIV known as primary HIV infection. Symptoms occur a few weeks after exposure and may last only a short time.

Early signs to look for:

Early stage HIV can share many of the same symptoms as common conditions (such as influenza or glandular fever). The key is to work out if you get any of the following symptoms after the last unprotected sex:

- Sore or dry throat

- Headache, high fever

- Feeling tired and lacking energy

- Pain in joints, muscles and lower back

- Feeling nausea and have a low appetite

- Swelling of the glands (especially in the neck and armpits)

- Rash on chest and sometimes arms

- Diarrhoea

As mentioned above, but about 60% of people infected with HIV, will show symptoms, many others will not.

Getting diagnosed:

If you suspect that you have contracted HIV, do not panic. Your chances of infection is low - almost zero if you used a condom during sex. 

But if you are worried or if you exhibit symptoms a few weeks after unprotected sex, so it is important to test for HIV (not the same as an AIDS test). If the symptoms disappear after a few days it does not mean that you are all ready. Often people will experience the first signs and then not show any outward symptoms until years later. At the time the infection may have developed in the body and becoming harder to treat.

Clinics such as freedom Healthcare in London offering HIV testing that can detect viruses as early as 10 days after infection. You may also find treatment such as Post Exposure Prophylaxis. This one month course of anti-HIV drugs directed against those who believe that they may have recently been exposed to the virus.