Acute HIV Symptoms in Men

The acute symptoms of HIV infection arise when the HIV attacked cells of the immune system are on the verge of complete damage. Acute HIV infection is also known as seroconversion syndrome. This is the first stage of HIV infection, which marks rapid replication of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The infection actually occurs after 2 to 4 weeks of the viral attack. The primary infection stage in men occurs with flu like symptoms that disappear within a few weeks time. Sometimes, the HIV symptoms go unnoticed in both men and women. Initially, the acute HIV symptoms in men were described as flu or mononucleosis-like illness, affecting mostly homosexuals. Today, the acute HIV syndrome is identified in 30-50% of newly infected individuals during the period of seroconversion.

Acute HIV Infection in Men

Blood samples of HIV infected men shows a high count of the virus. The virus attacks the immune system and weakens it. Due to its similarity to flu like symptoms, patients often go untreated. Therefore, identification of early HIV symptoms in men is vital for its diagnosis. In most of the cases, the disease is contracted by unprotected sex with a person suffering from HIV, through blood, semen or vaginal fluid. Another way for the spread of infection is sharing the common needle for intravenous injections. If the needle is contaminated with HIV infected blood, chances of getting the disease is 100%. The virus can also spread from breast milk of HIV infected mothers.

The HIV strain attaches itself to the receptors of the CD4 or T-cells of the white blood cells and then injects its RNA to it. With the mechanism of host cells, it then starts multiplying. The virus takes over the host cell machinery and the number of CD4 cells decline. The early symptoms gradually decline as the CD4 cells are capable of eradicating the virus. The body continues combating the deadly virus and after 4 to 5 years, the cells lose their capability to fight. At that point the immune system loses the battle and the body becomes highly vulnerable to many diseases. That was the complete prognosis of AIDS.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute HIV Infection in Men

The symptoms in men start appearing after 2 or 3 weeks of infection. The typical symptoms of HIV infection are:

• Persistent headache
• Frequent fever
• Swollen glands (lymph, neck, armpit, groins)
• Muscle ache
• Fatigue
• Appetite loss
• Sore throat
• Mouth rash
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Oral thrush
• Vomiting and nausea
• Unusual rash over skin
• Cough
• Chest infection

The latest stage of infection is after 10 years and the condition at that time is known as AIDS. There's a severe depletion in the lymphocytes present in the blood and the immunity of body is completely destroyed, making it susceptible to a wide range of diseases. Men in the last stage of AIDS can develop Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, etc. The person undergoes severe loose stools and rapid weight loss. The body becomes shrunken with development of white spots and lesions all over mouth and tongue. Pneumonia with high fever, night sweats and excessive fatigue takes toll on the body. The chances of survival is almost negligible when a person is in his last stage of HIV infection.

Now the question is how to detect these symptoms correctly. HIV diagnosis was earlier performed by the technique of ELISA. Even after detection of the early symptoms, it's still a controversial issue, whether antiretroviral medications, should be implemented immediately. It's because the deterioration starts after a few years, the fatal effect of this sexually transmitted disease, AIDS. However, doctors say that it's safe to take the anti HIV medications at the initial stage if the tests have confirmed the presence of viral load in the blood. Efficient clinical tests like, ultra fast HIV test, HIV duo test, HIV INSTI test, etc. perform quick and accurate diagnosis of HIV. Above all, it's utmost important for family members and friends to take care of the person and help him to lead a normal social life.