how to tell if a person has AIDS?

Answer 1

The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on the phase of infection. When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms at all, although it's more common to develop a brief flu-like illness two to six weeks after becoming infected. But because the signs and symptoms of an initial infection — which may include fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph glands and rash — are similar to those of other diseases, you might not realize you've been infected with HIV.

Even if you don't have symptoms, you're still able to transmit the virus to others. Once the virus enters your body, your own immune system also comes under attack. The virus multiplies in your lymph nodes and slowly begins to destroy your helper T cells (CD4 lymphocytes) — the white blood cells that coordinate your entire immune system.

You may remain symptom-free for eight or nine years or more. But as the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic symptoms such as:

Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Fever
Cough and shortness of breath
During the last phase of HIV — which occurs approximately 10 or more years after the initial infection — more serious symptoms may begin to appear, and the infection may then meet the official definition of AIDS. In 1993, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) redefined AIDS to mean the presence of HIV infection as shown by a positive HIV-antibody test plus at least one of the following:

The development of an opportunistic infection — an infection that occurs when your immune system is impaired — such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
A CD4 lymphocyte count of 200 or less — a normal count ranges from 600 to 1,000
By the time AIDS develops, your immune system has been severely damaged, making you susceptible to opportunistic infections. The signs and symptoms of some of these infections may include:

Soaking night sweats
Shaking chills or fever higher than 100 F for several weeks
Dry cough and shortness of breath
Chronic diarrhea
Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth
Headaches
Blurred and distorted vision
Weight loss
You may also begin to experience signs and symptoms of later stage HIV infection itself, such as:

Persistent, unexplained fatigue
Soaking night sweats
Shaking chills or fever higher than 100 F for several weeks
Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
Chronic diarrhea
Persistent headaches
If you're infected with HIV, you're also more likely to develop certain cancers, especially Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer and lymphoma, although improved treatments have reduced the risk of these illnesses.

Symptoms of HIV in children
Children who are HIV-positive often fail to gain weight or grow normally. As the disease progresses, they may have difficulty walking or delayed mental development. In addition to being susceptible to the same opportunistic infections that adults are, children may have severe forms of common childhood illnesses such as ear infections (otitis media), pneumonia and tonsillitis.

Answer 2

Hey, Steve - I can honestly say I know it's hard to tell someone you love that you have HIV. And, as hard as it is to do, you need to tell her. Plenty of others have already posted about "being responsible" and "doing the right thing" and accused you of being selfish. Not my game, dude - it's not my place to be judgemental. I'm gonna address my response to just you; I'm not gonna delve into your girlfriend's possible feelings, 'cuz that would be exploring an undefined possibility - no one knows what she would do or feel at this point. The reason I think she really needs to know, as soon as possible, is that, right now, you're keeping something from her that will definitely affect your relationship. With something as big as HIV, well, there is a good chance she'll leave you. I'm sorry for that. The last thing you need now is to feel alone and isolated. But, if you wait until something happens that forces you to tell her or she finds out from someone else, your situation will be much, much worse. Because you won't have any control over how she finds out. And if you think she'll be angry if you tell her now, just imagine what it would be like if she found out another way, later. The time she spent with you won't amount to a hill of beans if the news doesn't come from you, the person she trusts. Be honest with her. If she does leave you, then, at least you can take some small amount of comfort that you were honest with her and it was her decision to leave because she couldn't handle your condition. Not because you weren't honest with her. The bottom line, Steve, is if you don't tell her, and soon, your relationship will be built on a lie. And if you feel she can't handle your diagnosis, wouldn't you rather find out now than when you really, really need someone close? I wish you all the best, big guy - I do know you have a difficult decision to make. All I can do is encourage you to be the honest, strong man that you know you are. Good luck.

Answer 3

You can't tell by looking. Its a silent killer. This can be quite deceptive when the people you are looking at are quite attractive.
Since you posted this information in the Thailand section I will do my best to offer you information relevant. Many bars claim they test their girls from the virus. Despite that most ladies are only as clean as their last customer.In recent years Thailand has seen a signicent drop in the number of new infections. The most reliable condom available is Durex. These are available in any pharmacy. Do not use Johnsons baby oil as a lubracant stick to K-9 jelly as the baby oil can damage the condom.

Answer 4

If you are talking about how do you find out if a prostitute in Thailand has AIDS/HIV then i advise that you stay protected. Even if you ask her and she says she doesnt have AIDS/HIV then she could be lying (you cant trust any of these thai chicks, you could even get a ladyboy if your not careful). Normally the cheaper the girl is in Thailand than the more chance of getting AIDS/HIV is.

take care homie and remember to bonk the $hit out of them!

Answer 5

A blood test for sure. Before sex no way to tell after sex by having a blood test six weeks to 3 months later. Sometimes not detectable for up to three yrs. With some people their gums recede and their breath stinks horribly, they lose lots of weight, get sick easily catch colds and pneumonia often, their immune system is weak, they look like death, or they just confess it to u. But otherwise it is undetectable so beware who u bed with.

Answer 6

The test is the surest way. People with AIDS dont look different from anyone else.

Answer 7

If a person is in a progressed stage of the disease, there are certain outward signs. Otherwise, there's no way to tell. Always wear protection.

Answer 8

It really isn't your business but if you really want to know just ask them. If they want you to know they will tell you. If you are sleeping with the person or you are thinking about it, THEN DON'T! Better safe than sorry.

Answer 9

You can not tell just by looking at someone or by talking to them. You need to ask them or get a test done!

Answer 10

You cannot tell. You need a blood test. Better go get one.