First Symptoms of HIV

In the United States, the first case of HIV was reported in the year 1981, and later in the year 1983, it was identified. This was the first time it was known, however, researchers had shown that it was there from the late 1970s. Since the time it was identified, numerous beings have been a prey to it. What makes HIV the most dreaded disease is the fact that it has no cure.

What is HIV?

It is really very important to get the basics of HIV/AIDS clear. HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the virus which causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection. HIV are lentiviruses which are slow viruses. The reason why they are known to be as slow viruses, is because they affect the immune system slowly. There are even cases when the first symptoms of HIV start showing up after several years of contacting the infection.

HIV, upon entering the blood stream, starts attacking the CD4 cells (also known as T4 cells). These T4 cells are responsible for a stronger immune system. The more the cells are the, more immune the body is towards external viruses. HIV targets the T4 cells and starts replicating these cells, which leads to the destruction of these vital cells. What follows next is, deterioration of the whole immune system. Studies shows that the final stages of AIDS will leave a patient with only 200 or less T4 cells, when on an average a healthy adult will have 1,000 or more of them!

Symptoms of HIV

The early symptoms of HIV are not specific and are more like other illnesses. The very first sign shows up when our body starts producing antibodies against the virus. The reason why AIDS is considered to be the most serious disease is because, first, there is no cure for it, and second, it doesn't have specific symptoms. The initial symptoms will be flu-like and include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Body ache
• Swollen lymph
• Rash
• Sore throat

As the disease advances, the symptoms become severe. Since it affects the immune system gradually, it slowly starts making you susceptible to other diseases, infections and illnesses. The person starts contacting infections, which otherwise a normal healthy person wouldn't. With the help of medication, the growth of infections can be lowered. Few of the symptoms of severe HIV include:

• Excessive weight loss
• Cough and shortness of breath
• Chronic diarrhea
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Easy bruising

When do Symptoms of HIV Appear?

The initial signs of HIV can be noticed as early as 2 weeks from the time contracting the infection. This is the time when you will show flu-like symptoms. It can be the stage where you may misinterpret it by considering it to be common cold or other common illnesses. These symptoms may last for a few weeks or few months after which these symptoms will stop. If you suspect it to be HIV infection or otherwise, it is highly recommended to do an HIV test. It is the only way to know if a person is infected or no.

Symptoms of HIV in Women

The symptoms cannot be distinguished between sexes separately, and the virus does not show variation as per sex. But then, few of the prominent symptoms in women are,

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Oral symptoms
• Lipodystrophy
• Sexual dysfunction
• Vaginal symptoms
• Delirium
• Dizziness
• Skin conditions

Hope this article has provided you with relevant information. The only way to escape from the clutches of this fearful disease is to take precaution. Few of the causes of getting infected with HIV is through blood transfusion, unprotected sex with a person infected with HIV, sharing contaminated needles and syringes, injection drug use, from mother to child, etc. If you experience any of these, please get an HIV test done to get that peace of mind.