Initial HIV Symptoms

HIV is sometimes known as the AIDS virus, but what it really stands for is Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the body's immune system. The signs and symptoms of the virus may be slow to detect, and initial HIV symptoms can often be mistaken for the flu; however with any illness, the earlier the problem can be diagnosed, the sooner and more effectively it can be treated.

How is HIV Transmitted?

• HIV is a virus that lives in the blood and therefore is transmitted through any bodily fluids containing blood cells. A person cannot contract the virus through casual contact with an infected person. An exchange of blood or bodily fluids is what causes one person to infect another. HIV can be transmitted by the following:
  • Unprotected sexual intercourse with a person infected with HIV. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex. Further risk to infection occurs if sexual intercourse takes place while a woman is menstruating, or during an outbreak of genital sores or herpes.
  • Blood transfusions that occur with infected blood.
  • HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her unborn child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
  • Sharing needles or other injected drug paraphernalia with an infected person.
  • Receiving a transplanted organ from an infected donor.

Initial HIV Symptoms

• The initial symptoms of HIV can often be mistaken for the flu or sometimes for the virus mononucleosis. These symptoms include fever, rash, muscle, aches, sore throat and swollen glands. Symptoms of the virus usually occur anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months after becoming infected; however a large majority of people show no symptoms at all. Though a person infected with HIV may show no symptoms, they are still highly contagious and can pass the virus on to another person through the exchange of blood or bodily fluids. Symptoms of HIV vary greatly from one person to another, so if you suspect you may be infected, you need to see your doctor immediately.

Diagnosing HIV

• In the initial stages of HIV infection, a patient may appear to be asymptomatic or without symptoms. During this period, diagnosis may prove to be inconclusive, since it takes time for the body's immune system to form the antibodies to the virus. This process is known as seroconversion. If you suspect you may be infected with HIV, but show no signs of the virus, be sure to get tested after three months from the time you suspect you were infected.

Asymptomatic HIV

• This is a phase of HIV infection where the patient may display no outward signs or symptoms of the virus, yet the immune system is slowly deteriorating. During this phase the virus is replicating itself and the result of this on the body varies from one person to the next. It is possible that some infected individuals can go 8 to 10 years without ever exhibiting any type of symptoms.

Prevention/Solution

• To prevent the risk of contracting HIV, the best solution is to practice methods of safe sex. This includes abstinence, but if that is not possible be sure to use a condom and a dental dam when engaging in vaginal, anal or oral sex. Do not share needles or syringes that may be infected. Health care workers must try to avoid exposure to contaminated blood by wearing latex gloves when treating patients, and to make washing hands a continuous practice.