2007-01-23 16:37:01 · 4 answers · asked by ashley P 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
A few weeks after you first contract HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) you may get flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, fever, malaise) or you may not have any symptoms at all. Because those symptoms are the same as when you have the flu, you can't tell by symptoms if you've contracted HIV. If you're worried that you've been exposed to HIV, you have to get an HIV test to know for sure if you have it or not.
2007-01-23 16:58:11 · answer #1 · answered by Brad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are no "early" symptoms of AIDS. If you find that you are all of a sudden noticing that you get sick a lot more frequently than you used to then it may be that you have been infected with the HIV Virus. It does not mean you have AIDS. There has been so much research done over the last 20 years that wonderful treatments for the HIV virus have been developed which actually are preventing many many people from becoming sick with AIDS. Some people infected with the virus never become sick with AIDS. If you are at risk for contacting the virus I would recommend you have yourself checked ASAP because if you are infected the longer you wait the more time it gives the virus to replicate and you are just delaying treatment even more. I have been a nurse for a long time and we just don't see people die from AIDS like we used to 15-20 years ago because there is more awareness and much better treatment to keep the virus from replicating if the patient is compliant with their medications and live a healthier life.
2007-01-23 17:02:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HIV is a disease that simply allows other diseases to take over your body that normally would not. There is not always an early symptom stage for HIV.
My partner has HIV and he noticed he was getting sick quite often. He got tested for HIV and came out positive. He then backtracked and remember how when he first had sex with his ex boyfriend how sick he had gotten the next day.
Sometimes there is an episode soon aftert being infected where the person gets extremely sick. Its usually described as having a very bad flu. However, this isn't enought to know you have HIV. You could have sex and get the flu the next day.
HIV is a slow progressing disease. The only way to find out is get tested once, then not have sex for 6 months, then get tested again. Its a laborous process so the best idea is just to get tested every 6 months.
If you are asking this because you are concerned about your health I wish you the best of luck, and realize HIV does not mean the end of your life. There are better drugs out there and good support programs so that you will not feel alone.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-24 12:21:47 · answer #3 · answered by subby33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.managinghiv.com/hiv/basics.asp
2007-01-23 18:09:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋