HIV indicators and physical changes

Manifestations and indicators of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection

HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, progresses through three distinct stages, each with its own set of symptoms and potential complications. In 2023, a higher number of males were diagnosed with HIV and experienced death due to HIV-related causes.

**Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection (Primary HIV Infection)**

This initial stage occurs within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. Symptoms resemble a flu or severe viral illness and can last for several weeks. Common signs include fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, chills, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, rash, mouth ulcers or oral thrush, night sweats, and a discolored, itchy rash with small bumps. Some individuals may have only a few symptoms or none at all during this stage.

**Stage 2: Chronic HIV Infection (Clinical Latent Stage)**

This stage can last for several years, where the virus is still active but reproduces at low levels. Many individuals may not have noticeable symptoms. However, some may experience persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurring fevers or night sweats, chronic diarrhea, oral thrush, skin rashes, and recurrent infections due to weakened immunity. Without treatment, the immune system progressively weakens during this stage.

**Stage 3: AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)**

This is the most severe stage, occurring if HIV goes untreated. The immune system is badly damaged, leading to a high viral load and increased infectiousness. Symptoms reflect severe immune deficiency and associated opportunistic infections, such as severe weight loss (wasting syndrome), pneumonia and other severe infections, tuberculosis, cancers like Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma, neurological disorders, persistent fever and night sweats, chronic diarrhea, and sores affecting the mouth and genitals. People at this stage are highly vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses.

The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 take an HIV test at least once as part of their routine healthcare. People with certain risk factors, such as those who have had multiple sexual partners, exchanged sex for drugs or money, or shared drug injection equipment, should take a test at least once a year. If a home test is positive, it is essential to confirm the results with a doctor.

HIV diagnosis is confirmed through testing for the virus, with tests like antibody tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests. Nucleic acid tests can detect HIV faster, within 1 to 5 weeks.

It's important to note that HIV can progress to stage 2, also known as chronic HIV, which may take around 10 years but can be faster or slower. Men who reported male-to-male sexual contact made up 67% of new HIV cases in 2022. Some people may not have any symptoms at stage 1 HIV.

HIV treatment, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can significantly reduce the amount of HIV in the body, slowing the progression of the virus and improving a person's quality of life. The number of people with HIV in the United States decreased from 2018 to 2022. With early diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment, progression and symptoms can be significantly reduced, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives when combined with lifestyle measures like exercise and quitting smoking.

For more in-depth information and resources on HIV and AIDS, visit the dedicated hub. Without treatment, a person with stage 3 HIV typically lives for around 3 years. However, with the advancements in HIV treatment and care, this prognosis has improved significantly.

Some individuals may have only a few symptoms or none at all during the acute HIV infection stage.
This stage, chronic HIV infection, can last for several years, where the virus is still active but reproduces at low levels.
In this stage, many individuals may not have noticeable symptoms; however, some may experience persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurring fevers or night sweats, chronic diarrhea, oral thrush, skin rashes, and recurrent infections.
Without treatment, the immune system progressively weakens during the chronic HIV infection stage.
The most severe stage is AIDS, occurring if HIV goes untreated, where the immune system is badly damaged, leading to a high viral load and increased infectiousness.
Symptoms of AIDS reflect severe immune deficiency and associated opportunistic infections, such as severe weight loss, pneumonia and other severe infections, tuberculosis, cancers like Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma, neurological disorders, persistent fever and night sweats, chronic diarrhea, and sores affecting the mouth and genitals.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 take an HIV test at least once as part of their routine healthcare.
People with certain risk factors, such as those who have had multiple sexual partners, exchanged sex for drugs or money, or shared drug injection equipment, should take a test at least once a year.
If a home test is positive, it is essential to confirm the results with a doctor.
HIV diagnosis is confirmed through testing for the virus, with tests like antibody tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests.
Nucleic acid tests can detect HIV faster, within 1 to 5 weeks.
It's important to note that HIV can progress to stage 2, also known as chronic HIV, which may take around 10 years but can be faster or slower.
Men who reported male-to-male sexual contact made up 67% of new HIV cases in 2022.
In 2023, a higher number of males were diagnosed with HIV and experienced death due to HIV-related causes.
HIV treatment, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can significantly reduce the amount of HIV in the body, slowing the progression of the virus and improving a person's quality of life.
With early diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment, progression and symptoms can be significantly reduced, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
Without treatment, a person with stage 3 HIV typically lives for around 3 years; however, with the advancements in HIV treatment and care, this prognosis has improved significantly.
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