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| How can I tell if I have HIV? |
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The first symptoms of HIV infection can resemble symptoms
of common cold or flu viruses.
The symptoms of early infection can also be similar to
the symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases and other
infections such as "mono" or hepatitis,
which are much more commonly and more easily transmitted.
Stress and anxiety can also produce symptoms in some
people, even though they do not have HIV.
Some people who contract HIV experience very
strong symptoms,
but others experience none at all.
Those who do have symptoms generally experience fever,
fatigue,and, often, rash. Other common symptoms can include
headache, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat.
These symptoms can occur within days or weeks of
the initial exposure to the virus during a period called
primary or acute HIV infection.
Because of the nonspecific symptoms associated with primary
or acute HIV infection, symptoms are not a reliable way to diagnose
HIV infection. Testing for HIV antibodies is the only way
to know whether you have been infected; however,
the HIV antibody test only works after
the infected person's immune system develops antibodies to HIV.
During the "window period" between the initial infection and
the period in which antibodies are detectable
(which can be from 2 weeks to 6 months, but is usually 3 months),
standard HIV testing is ineffective.
If you are concerned that you may have recently acquired HIV
and have symptoms described above, see a doctor.
A doctor or other health care professional can help determine
whether you may be infected with HIV or another infection.
If HIV infection is suspected, he or she may perform
a Polymerase Chain Reaction (commonly called "PCR")
test to determine whether HIV is present in the blood.
Once the primary or acute infection is over,
most people do not experience
any visible symptoms for another 8-10 years.
Left untreated, the immune system becomes increasingly weaker
and the disease progresses to AIDS.
The next symptoms experienced by individuals infected with the virus
are often associated with the "opportunistic infections
" that target individuals with AIDS such as
pneumonia, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis. |
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| How can I tell if someone else has HIV? |
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There is no way to know for sure if someone else has HIV.
Many people with HIV look perfectly healthy.
Other people who are sick with HIV
may have symptoms that are identical to other common illnesses.
You cannot tell by looking whether someone is HIV positive.
The only way to know for sure is if someone tells you.
It is important to consider how well you know someone
and how much you trust them when talking about sex and HIV.
How is HIV treated?
An HIV positive South African woman holding her antiretroviral drugs
so that the immune system is able to recover and work effectively.
Antiretroviral drugs enable many
HIV positive people to live long and healthy lives.
Starting antiretroviral treatment for HIV infection
involves commitment – drugs have to be taken every day,
and for the rest of a person’s life.
Adhering to HIV treatment is important, particularly
because not doing so increases the risk of drug resistance. Side effects
to the HIV drugs can make adherence difficult,
and are sometimes very severe.
There are ways of reducing the impact of these side effects,
but sometimes it is necessary to change to an alternative
HIV treatment regime.
There are more than 20 antiretroviral drugs approved
for the treatment of HIV infection in the US and Europe,
as well as many new HIV drugs currently undergoing trials.
Although treatment for HIV has become more widely
available in recent years, access to antiretroviral treatment
is limited in some parts of the world due to a lack of funding.
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