As much as 3 in every 10 people with HIV don't know they have it,
therefore it is important you get tested, especially if you have been
involved in a risky sexual behaviour.
About 80% of infected individuals experience symptoms known as
acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) within a month or two of HIV entering
the body. But sometimes HIV symptoms don't appear for many years
after infection.
Here are some signs that you may be HIV-positive.
Flu-like illness that occurs within a month or two after the virus
enters the body may present with the following symptoms:
1. Fever
2 Muscle soreness
3. Rash
4. Headache
5. Sore throat
6. Mouth or genital ulcers
7. Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
8. Joint pain
9. Night sweats
10.Diarrhea
The amount of virus in the blood stream (viral load) at this time is
very high. HIV infection spreads more efficiently during this time than
during the next stage of infection.
The next phase is the clinical latent phase which may last up to 10
years and does not usually present with any symptoms.
Afterwards, the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells,
and the following symptoms may appear:
1. Fever
2. Fatigue
3. Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
4. Diarrhea
5. Weight loss
6. Cough and shortness of breath
If the HIV infection is not treated, the disease typically progresses to
AIDS in about 10 years, causing severe damage to your immune
system and exposing you to opportunistic infections. Here are some
symptoms you may experience:
1. Soaking night sweats
2. Shaking chills or fever higher than 38 C for several weeks
3. Cough and shortness of breath
4. Chronic diarrhea
5. Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your
mouth
6. Headaches
7. Persistent, unexplained fatigue
8. Blurred and distorted vision
9. Weight loss
10. Skin rashes or bumps
Get tested today if you don’t know your status.