Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is caused by HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus). The virus attacks and weakens the immune system
- the body's system for fighting infections.
When the immune system becomes too weak to fight major infections, the condition then becomes known as AIDS.
Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. This illness, called Acute HIV Syndrome, may include:
Fever
Headache
Tiredness
Nausea
Diarrhea
enlarged lymph nodes
These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection.
Some of the more serious symptoms of HIV symptoms after the immune system is attacked include:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, axillary, or groin Fever night sweats
Symptoms in the GI Tract: gastrointestinal system and nutrition poor appetite diarrhea Rapid weight loss Diarrhea and fatigue.
Respiratory Symptoms: Some of the most serious symptoms of HIV involve the respiratory system. Symptoms associated with breathing and respiration usually occur later in course of the disease. Unfortunately, many people's first symptom of HIV involves the respiratory system. Shortness of breath Dry cough productive cough
Skin and Mucous Membranes: Skin rash Red, brown, pink or purple
lesion on the skin: suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma
White patches on the tongue, inside of the mouth, or gums
Neurological: Emotional Symptoms - Physical and emotional symptoms of HIV can include the following:
Depression Numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet, hands, or face. (peripheral neuropathy)Confusion, weakness, or changes in level of consciousness.
HIV prevention:
No Sex
Safe sex (latex condoms and oral condoms)
Do not use IV drugs
Do not share needles (if you are a drug user seek help through your county)
Woman and HIV
The three most common gynecological manifestations of HIV are:
Vaginal candidiasis: (yeast infection). This is the most common symptom of HIV in women. A healthy immune system normally keeps the yeast in check. However, the suppressed immune systems of women with HIV can allow the yeast to flourish, leading to frequent, recurrent, and chronic yeast infections.
PID infections: caused by tuberculosis, CMV (cytomegalovirus), and MAC (Mycobacterium avium). Women with HIV are more susceptible to PID and generally have much more severe cases that take longer to cure.en with HIV, and is much more aggressive.
Dysplasia : Dysplasia is the condition of abnormal, pre-cancerous cells in or on the cervix. Any woman can develop dysplasia. If untreated it may progress to cervical cancer. Progression to cancer is more common and more rapid in women with HIV. Some HIV positive women have died.
People infected with HIV may feel and look healthy for a long time. They may have no symptoms for as long as 10 years from the time they became infected, but they can infect other people during this time.
HIV testing
The HIV test has been in use since 1985 and is a screening test used to detect antibodies formed in the blood when HIV is present.
Why get tested for HIV?
Early treatment for people who are infected and still healthy is now recommended.
By knowing whether or not you are infected, you can protect yourself and others. The only true way to know if you are infected with HIV is to be tested.
BE SAFE
When the immune system becomes too weak to fight major infections, the condition then becomes known as AIDS.
Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. This illness, called Acute HIV Syndrome, may include:
Fever
Headache
Tiredness
Nausea
Diarrhea
enlarged lymph nodes
These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection.
Some of the more serious symptoms of HIV symptoms after the immune system is attacked include:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, axillary, or groin Fever night sweats
Symptoms in the GI Tract: gastrointestinal system and nutrition poor appetite diarrhea Rapid weight loss Diarrhea and fatigue.
Respiratory Symptoms: Some of the most serious symptoms of HIV involve the respiratory system. Symptoms associated with breathing and respiration usually occur later in course of the disease. Unfortunately, many people's first symptom of HIV involves the respiratory system. Shortness of breath Dry cough productive cough
Skin and Mucous Membranes: Skin rash Red, brown, pink or purple
lesion on the skin: suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma
White patches on the tongue, inside of the mouth, or gums
Neurological: Emotional Symptoms - Physical and emotional symptoms of HIV can include the following:
Depression Numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet, hands, or face. (peripheral neuropathy)Confusion, weakness, or changes in level of consciousness.
HIV prevention:
No Sex
Safe sex (latex condoms and oral condoms)
Do not use IV drugs
Do not share needles (if you are a drug user seek help through your county)
Woman and HIV
The three most common gynecological manifestations of HIV are:
Vaginal candidiasis: (yeast infection). This is the most common symptom of HIV in women. A healthy immune system normally keeps the yeast in check. However, the suppressed immune systems of women with HIV can allow the yeast to flourish, leading to frequent, recurrent, and chronic yeast infections.
PID infections: caused by tuberculosis, CMV (cytomegalovirus), and MAC (Mycobacterium avium). Women with HIV are more susceptible to PID and generally have much more severe cases that take longer to cure.en with HIV, and is much more aggressive.
Dysplasia : Dysplasia is the condition of abnormal, pre-cancerous cells in or on the cervix. Any woman can develop dysplasia. If untreated it may progress to cervical cancer. Progression to cancer is more common and more rapid in women with HIV. Some HIV positive women have died.
People infected with HIV may feel and look healthy for a long time. They may have no symptoms for as long as 10 years from the time they became infected, but they can infect other people during this time.
HIV testing
The HIV test has been in use since 1985 and is a screening test used to detect antibodies formed in the blood when HIV is present.
Why get tested for HIV?
Early treatment for people who are infected and still healthy is now recommended.
By knowing whether or not you are infected, you can protect yourself and others. The only true way to know if you are infected with HIV is to be tested.
BE SAFE
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