Today is National HIV Testing Day. Be safe. How to Recognize HIV Symptoms

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HomeArticlesCommunityMy Profile WH.translationData = {'es': {'msg':"\u00bfTe gustar\u00eda saber Como reconocer los s\u00edntomas del VIH? \u00a1Lee acerca de eso en espa\u00f1ol!"},'pt': {'msg':"Gostaria de aprender Como Reconhecer os Sintomas do HIV? Leia sobre o assunto em portugu\u00eas!"},'nl': {'msg':"Wil je graag leren Hoe moet je de symptomen van HIV herkennen? Lees erover in het Nederlands"},'it': {'msg':"Ti piacerebbe sapere Come Riconoscere i Sintomi dell'HIV? Leggi come farlo, in italiano!"},'de': {'msg':"Lies auch unseren deutschen Artikel: HIV Symptome erkennen."}};WH.mergeLang({'navlist_collapse': '- collapse','navlist_expand': '+ expand'});EditHome » Categories » Health » Reproductive Health » Sexually Transmitted DiseasesHow to Recognize HIV SymptomsEdited by CDC Bot, Jack Herrick, Chris Hadley, Glutted and 12 others

Pin ItArticle EditDiscussHIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system, destroying a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight off infection and disease. Testing is the only sure way to determine if you have HIV. There are symptoms to look for that could be a warning that you have an advanced infection.

Edit Steps1Watch for the following symptoms:Acute fatigue with no explainable cause.

Diarrhea lasting a week or more.

Recurrent fever or excessive night sweats.

Memory loss, depression, or other neurological afflictions.

Swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin.

Pneumonia.

Dry cough.

Rapid weight loss with no known cause.

Irregular spots (red, brown, pink, or purplish in color) on the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids.

White spots or unusual blotches on the tongue, or in the mouth or throat.

Any of the listed symptoms could be a sign of another illness. If you have any of these signs or symptoms it is not conclusive you have HIV. The only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested.2Know if you are at risk. You are at an increased risk if you have:

Had unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Shared needles or syringes.

Been diagnosed/treated for a sexually transmitted disease (STD), tuberculosis, or hepatitis.

Received a blood transfusion during 1978–1985.

3Be tested for HIV. This is the most accurate measure in determining if you have HIV. There are people who have HIV that may show no signs or symptoms for 10 years or more. HIV can be diagnosed before symptoms develop.

Edit Video

Becky Kuhn, M.D., an HIV/AIDS specialist, discusses the symptoms of primary HIV infection that arise in some people during the first few months of HIV infection.

Edit TipsIf you are tested for HIV, do not let fear prevent you from obtaining your test results. Knowing if you are infected, or not, brings about change in your lifestyle and your way of thinking.Testing is easy, affordable, and reliable (in the majority of cases). The most common test is done through drawing a blood sample. There are also tests that use oral fluids (not saliva) and urine. There are even tests you can take at home. If you do not have a regular physician who can provide testing, contact your local Health Department.If you have used an at-home test kit and the results are positive for the infection, you will be provided referrals for a follow-up test. Do not avoid this follow-up. If you are concerned, make an appointment with your health care provider.HIV is not an airborne or food-borne virus. The virus does not live long outside the body.Please get tested if you are doubtful of whether or not you have this illness. It's only right and safe for you as well as others.

Edit WarningsNever pick up a discarded needle or syringe.One fourth of HIV-infected persons in the United States do not know they have the infection.STDs increase the risks of becoming infected with HIV.

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Protect Against an STDHow to Have Safe SexHow to Accept That Your Child is Homosexual or BisexualHow to Use a CondomHow to Beat Drug Addiction

Edit Sources and Citationshttp://www.cdc.gov/hiv/http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/index.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/index.htmArticle Info Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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