How Do I Know If I Have HIV?

HIV is mostly transmitted as a result of anal sexual intercourse or vaginal sex with an contaminated person. You can also transmit HIV as a result of blood, these types of as by sharing needles during drug use, or as a result of childbirth or breastfeeding. It is extremely uncommon to get HIV by means of oral sex. You are unable to get HIV by sharing food stuff or drinks, touching objects applied by an infected man or woman, or from mosquito bites.

There is a ton of incredibly handy facts accessible on the net about HIV, but it is continue to a misunderstood topic. The HIV virus and its remedy have come a extensive way due to the fact it was 1st found in the 1980s. You can nonetheless guide a regular lifestyle with HIV, as early diagnosis and powerful treatment method can slow the progression of the virus and prevent serious well being complications. In this posting, we will outline some early HIV indicators and share information on the up coming ways to get.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that attacks the immune technique, which is our body’s organic defence in opposition to sickness. More than time, HIV can bring about severe wellbeing difficulties and direct to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if remaining untreated handled. It is believed that about 100,000 people are residing with HIV in the United kingdom. All-around 5,000 of these are undiagnosed, so do not know they are HIV positive.

Signs and symptoms of HIV

There is a misunderstanding that only sure teams of people today, this sort of as homosexual gentlemen or drug consumers are at hazard of contracting HIV. This is wrong – any one can get HIV. HIV signs or symptoms can vary from person to particular person, and some individuals may well not experience any indications at all right after staying infected. Even so, the most widespread early signs of HIV contain:

• Flu-like disease these types of as fever, tiredness and/or a sore throat
• Human body rash
• Swollen lymph glands
• Mouth ulcers
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Evening sweats
• Unexplained fat decline

If you have any of these signs, it is essential to see a doctor or get an HIV check. If you are identified HIV optimistic, a health practitioner will function with you to produce a cure approach. It is essential to begin HIV therapy as before long as achievable to gradual the progression of the virus and protect against really serious wellness issues.

HIV signs and symptoms in women

In addition to the signs mentioned above, women with HIV might also encounter:

• Vaginal yeast bacterial infections
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Pelvic inflammatory disorder
• Bacterial infections of the vagina

HIV indicators in adult men

Gentlemen with HIV could also working experience:

Tests for HIV

If you have experienced sexual get in touch with with an HIV good person and/or are encountering any HIV indications, it’s important to consider a exam. It may possibly truly feel scary, but it’s scarier not knowing a optimistic HIV position. You can order a residence STI check kit from iPlaySafe below. It will be sent in 2-5 doing work times and you can get the HIV check at house. You can be required to choose a blood check and present a urine sample and return them to the lab in the pre-paid envelope furnished. It truly is a swift and straightforward way to test, and you can obtain out far more details about the procedure below.

What is the HIV window period of time?

The HIV window interval is the time it requires for a person’s overall body to create enough HIV antibodies to be detected in a test. This can range from a number of months to quite a few months, dependent on your immune method and its response to the virus. During this time, a individual who has been contaminated with HIV may perhaps not have adequate antibodies in their blood to be detected by an HIV check, even if they are by now contagious and can transmit the virus to some others. If you have been exposed to HIV it is really significant to get analyzed as before long as feasible and to repeat the take a look at various weeks later on to affirm the benefits. This will enable ensure that you acquire the vital clinical care and guidance if you are discovered to be HIV constructive.

Managing and living with HIV

HIV remedy is effective and permits people residing with HIV to have lengthy and healthier life. HIV medicine is known as antiretroviral remedy and it operates by suppressing the virus to create an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load means that there is not sufficient of the virus current in a person’s blood to be detected by a viral load exam. This will not imply the particular person is fixed. It suggests that the danger of transmitting HIV to other individuals is tremendously lessened.

If you are diagnosed HIV constructive you can continue to have relationships and have sexual intercourse, as extended as you are obtaining antiretroviral therapy and are open up and honest with men and women you are coming into sexual make contact with with. Your potential sexual companions should really get pre-publicity prophylaxis (PrEP), which is a pill that can lower the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken as recommended. Obtain out additional about PrEP in this article.

FAQs

What is usually the first symptom of HIV?

The initial indicators of HIV can range from human being to particular person. For some individuals, the to start with signs and symptoms could look within just a few weeks right after infection. Many others might hold out many yrs for signs and symptoms to acquire. The most frequent indicators of early stage HIV incorporate:

• Flu-like symptoms such as fever or sore throat
• Severe and unexplained tiredness
• Physique rashes
• Swollen lymph nodes

When do indications of HIV begin showing?

Most people contaminated with HIV working experience delicate signs and a flu-like health issues that happens 2-6 weeks soon after infection, as the body’s immune system starts to combat the virus. Once these first indicators vanish HIV could not display screen any signs and symptoms for numerous many years.

If you are enduring any of these indications, it isn’t going to essentially suggest you have HIV. These indications are shared by other sicknesses. But if you have experienced sexual intercourse with somebody that is HIV constructive or have any other rationale to believe you could have been uncovered you really should purchase a property STI check kit in this article.

How can you inform if another person is HIV good?

The only way to know for positive if someone is HIV positive is for them to undertake HIV testing. Be mindful of the window interval as numerous assessments may well be wanted to affirm the success are accurate.

What are the 4 stages of HIV an infection?

The four phases of HIV an infection are:

1. Acute HIV infection: This is the to start with stage of HIV infection, and it typically takes place in a several weeks of currently being infected. During this stage, the virus replicates fast and can be transmitted to other individuals. Signs of acute HIV an infection might incorporate fever, exhaustion, sore throat, and a rash.
2. Clinical latency: Also acknowledged as the asymptomatic phase, this is the next phase of HIV an infection. Through this phase, the virus carries on to replicate, but at a much slower level. Most individuals do not have any indicators in the course of this stage, but the virus is nonetheless current in the entire body and can still be transmitted to many others.
3. AIDS: The third phase of HIV infection is called AIDS, or obtained immunodeficiency syndrome. This stage is characterised by a weakened immune procedure, which makes it tricky for the overall body to combat off bacterial infections and disorders. Persons with AIDS may perhaps experience indications these as fever, body weight loss, and critical exhaustion.
4. AIDS-defining opportunistic bacterial infections: The closing phase of HIV an infection is characterised by the enhancement of opportunistic infections, which are infections that take place in persons with weakened immune programs. These bacterial infections can be significant and even daily life-threatening if not dealt with immediately. Examples of opportunistic bacterial infections include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and certain kinds of cancer.

It is critical to observe that the development of HIV from one particular phase to the upcoming can differ depending on a amount of things, which include the person’s in general overall health and the usefulness of their remedy.

Can HIV indications seem in 3 days?

It is just not typical for HIV signs and symptoms to show up inside 3 times of an infection. In most situations, indicators look within just 7-14 days of exposure. However, if you might be at all involved you must order a take a look at or converse to a medical professional for peace of intellect.

Can HIV be fixed at an early stage?

HIV cannot be fixed, but it can be treated and managed with medical treatment and empower you to dwell a very long and healthier everyday living. With an early analysis and prompt procedure, HIV drugs (antiretroviral treatment, or Art) will suppress the virus and reduce it from multiplying. Art is as very simple as a day by day mix of capsules that assist to prevent even more indicators and the development of HIV within your system. 

If I have HIV, what takes place next?

If your HIV exam result arrives again favourable, it truly is normal to experience frightened. There is a stigma about sexually transmitted bacterial infections and people tend to sense concern, disgrace and anger/upset when they are identified. But you have practically nothing to be ashamed of, and there are so many resources on the internet and support groups to aid you by way of this system. iPlaySafe has a entire website dedicated to the future measures just after an HIV prognosis, showcasing HIV+ activist Jay Hawkridge. You can find that listed here. You can also obtain practical info and guidance as a result of the Terrence Higgins Have confidence in.