26 Signs You May Have HIV/AIDS

As much as 3 in every 10 people with HIV don't

know they have it, therefore it is important you get

tested, especially if you have been involved in a

risky sexual behaviour.

About 80% of infected individuals experience

symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome

(ARS) within a month or two of HIV entering the

body. But sometimes HIV symptoms don't appear

for many years after infection.

Here are some signs that you may be HIV-positive.

Flu-like illness that occurs within a month or two

after the virus enters the body may present with the

following symptoms:

1. Fever

2 Muscle soreness

3. Rash

4. Headache

5. Sore throat

6. Mouth or genital ulcers

7. Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck

8. Joint pain

9. Night sweats

10.Diarrhea

The amount of virus in the blood stream (viral load)

at this time is very high. HIV infection spreads more

efficiently during this time than during the next

stage of infection.

The next phase is the clinical latent phase which

may last up to 10 years and does not usually

present with any symptoms.

Afterwards, the virus continues to multiply and

destroy immune cells, and the following symptoms may appear:

1. Fever

2. Fatigue

3. Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first

signs of HIV infection

4. Diarrhea

5. Weight loss

6. Cough and shortness of breath

If the HIV infection is not treated, the disease

typically progresses to AIDS in about 10 years,

causing severe damage to your immune system and

exposing you to opportunistic infections. Here are

some symptoms you may experience:

1. Soaking night sweats

2. Shaking chills or fever higher than 38 C for

several weeks

3. Cough and shortness of breath

4. Chronic diarrhea

5. Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your

tongue or in your mouth

6. Headaches

7. Persistent, unexplained fatigue

8. Blurred and distorted vision

9. Weight loss

10. Skin rashes or bumps

Get tested today if you don’t know your status.

SIGNED:  DR_BEE