HIV Early Symptoms & Rashes

HIV is the acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus--the virus that causes AIDS. While AIDS and HIV are related, they are separate diseases with different sets of symptoms. With HIV, early symptoms usually develop within two to four weeks of exposure to the virus. HIV has a long incubation period, and people can be infected with HIV for years before developing full-blown AIDS.



Symptoms

Early symptoms of HIV tend to mimic those of other viruses. For this reason, it is often easily ignored. The most common early symptoms are a persistent low-grade fever, swollen glands, sore throat, and rashes.



Persistent Low-Grade Fever

When a viral pathogen enters the body, one of the responses is to raise body temperature in order to weaken the virus, making it easier to kill. With HIV, the body is unable to kill the virus so the fever persists.



Swollen Glands

The HIV virus reproduces in the lymph nodes. This causes the nodes to swell as the viral load increases.



Sore Throat

The sore throat may be due to the swelling in the lymph nodes or from general inflammation of the mucous membranes in the throat.



Rash

The HIV rash can appear anywhere on the body (including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet). It usually appears as raised or flat lesions.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

There a three main ways the HIV can be spread:

1. Sexual intercourse

2. Intravenous drugs

3. Blood transfusions (which are very rare now because all blood is tested)

HIV is spreading like wild fire among adolescents because they don't believe it can happen to them.

A small percentage of people who use condoms still get HIV because:

Misuse of condom

Use of drugs or alcohol which can impair judgment or proper use

Using a defective condom. (Always check first)




Since HIV only shows symptoms that could be confused with other minor viruses, it is crucial that you recognize how the virus is spread. Needles and sexual contact are the primary, though not only means of spreading the disease. If you are sexually active with a partner who has been sexually active with others, or have sex with more than one partner you are at greater risk. Sexual precautions are of course a must. Sharing needles places you at high risk for infection. You should be especially cognizant of the symptoms of HIV if these things are true.

Watch for flu like symptoms.





In the first month of HIV infection flu like symptoms such as fevers, aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, skin rashes, or other flu like symptoms may occur. Clearly these can be related to a common cold or flu. However, if you believe you may have a chance of being exposed get tested immediately.

Expect to be without symptoms.

HIV is often asymptomatic. Even the first stage mentioned in step one is not easily recognizes and cannot be diagnosed from symptoms. The second stage of HIV is named Asymptomatic HIV since you will not likely recognize any symptoms for years. This makes the disease especially dangerous and tragic as you have a high likelihood of infecting others if you are unaware.

Notice signs of third stage HIV.

Third stage HIV, or Symptomatic HIV occurs just before full blown AIDS. You will experience ongoing flu symptoms like the ones mentioned in step two. You will likely also experience significant weight loss, loss of appetite, skin infections, and difficulty breathing. AIDS itself increases these symptoms and often leads to infections a normal immune system would repel or specific types of cancers.

How to Recognize HIV Symptoms

HIV symptoms last for only a short time at initial infection if they occur at all. In this first stage of the HIV virus the symptoms could also be caused by many other conditions. In the next phase of the HIV virus a victim can be without recognizable symptoms for ten years. In the third phase patients are symptomatic before entering full-blown AIDS. Follow these steps to be aware of HIV symptoms and recognize HIV symptoms early.