Symptoms guide · All STD symptoms
HIV Symptoms in Women and Men
Noticed something? After the first few weeks HIV usually causes no symptoms at all for years – the only way to know is a test. Results in 1–2 business days. Nobody has to know.
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Quick answer: The most common symptom of HIV is no symptom at all. When symptoms do show, they usually start 2–4 weeks after exposure for early flu-like symptoms, then often nothing for years and include fever, sore throat and swollen glands 2–4 weeks after exposure and body rash. If you had an exposure, a private test near you takes about 5 minutes – order online or call, go to any of 2,100+ partner labs, results in 1–2 business days.
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HIV symptoms at a glance
- Fever, sore throat and swollen glands 2–4 weeks after exposure
- Body rash
- Muscle and joint aches, headache
- Night sweats
- Mouth ulcers
- Then often no symptoms for years
- Fever, sore throat and swollen glands 2–4 weeks after exposure
- Body rash
- Muscle and joint aches, headache
- Night sweats
- Mouth ulcers
- Then often no symptoms for years
Remember: After the first few weeks HIV usually causes no symptoms at all for years. Symptoms can also come and go, or look like something else entirely. None of these lists can tell you whether you have it – a test can, in 1–2 business days.
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Results post to your private account in 1–2 business days. If anything needs attention, our care team calls you to walk through treatment – most of it is a simple prescription.
More about HIV symptoms
There is no doubt that HIV/AIDS is currently the most condemned and terrifying sexually transmitted disease (STD). At least that is the way most people view it. Stories have been told, many of which are false, that have caused people to fear even the thought of HIV/AIDS. Over the past couple decades, a lot of effort has been put forth to help the population understand the reality and facts of HIV/AIDS, but a lot of people still have many misconceptions when it comes to HIV/AIDS and its symptoms. More research has been conducted and more effective treatments are now available.
Increase your knowledge of the symptoms of HIV and what steps to take to enjoy a successful recovery.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a serious sexually transmitted disease that causes harm to the immune system as it damages the cells (CD4 or T cells) necessary to keep the immune system healthy. Without the proper amount of T cells in the body, the immune system grows weak and can’t protect the body against harmful sickness. AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, develops during the final stages of this weakening process and rare infections are developed due to the lack of T cells.
HIV won’t deplete the immune system in one quick swoop, but it will do it over time. It can take ten years for an individual to develop AIDS without treatment. Testing for HIV/AIDS provides you with an accurate status of your health and allows you to get the treatment you need. To effectively hinder the damage of HIV and better secure your chance at a full and happy life, it is essential to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that combines healthy lifestyle changes with proper treatment options.
A More Detailed Look at HIV Symptoms
As mentioned previously, HIV symptoms can develop slowly. Individuals who do not seek treatment can wait up to ten years before noticing any HIV symptoms, but this doesn’t mean their immune system isn’t feeling the effects. Regular testing for STDs/HIV is crucial to your health. The sooner the virus is caught, the better the chance of protecting your body from its damaging effects.
The first symptoms you might recognize are similar to those of the flu. This is your body’s first response to the virus and these symptoms can present themselves within the first month of exposure. It is during this time that you will be the most contagious. If you feel you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, be sure to contact your doctor and avoid sharing needles or engaging in intercourse until you have been properly tested. Even if you aren’t showing any signs or symptoms, you can still pass the virus on to others.
Common symptoms of HIV
- Severe headaches
- Body rash
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pain in the muscles and joints
- Sweats at night
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Vaginal infections
Serious conditions such as rare infections or cancer may develop as HIV destroys the T cells in your body. Often, these are symptoms of AIDS. AIDS can also produce a variety of other symptoms. We’ve listed them below for your convenience.
Common symptoms of AIDS
- Lack of muscle control
- Persistent diarrhea
- Rapid weight loss
- Intense numbness in the hands and feet
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Vaginal infections
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent swelling of the lymph nodes
- Recurring night sweats
- Rashes on the skin
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Memory loss, neurological disorders, confusion
- Tiredness
- Recurring fever and/or chills
- Sores or ulcers in the mouth
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you feel you are developing any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
HIV Prevention
By learning more about HIV/AIDS, how it is transmitted, and the associated symptoms, you are one step closer to preventing HIV. HIV is a disease that is contracted through bodily fluids, including blood, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and semen. It can also be contracted through sores, tears, and mucous membranes.
The most common way to transmit HIV is through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual activity. The use of condoms, dental dams, and other safe sex practices is essential to preventing HIV. Those who engage in sexual activity with more than one partner are at greater risk of contracting and spreading HIV. Since individuals with HIV may not show any symptoms, safe sex practices and regular STD testing are important steps to take to prevent HIV and other STDs.
HIV can enter the body through open wounds, sores, and cuts. Sharing needles, including intravenous drug use, tattoos, and piercings, can also be a means to contracting and spreading HIV.
There are numerous stories and myths about other ways HIV is transmitted. Some may say that HIV is transmitted through blood transfusions, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food. The truth is that HIV is not transmitted in these ways and cannot be transmitted through saliva.
If there is possibility you’ve experienced an exposure to HIV in the past 72 hours, we recommend seeking urgent medical treatment at an Emergency Room nearest you.
Testing for HIV
Before you can get treated for HIV, you need to know you have contracted it. Testing for HIV can take place as soon as 10 days after HIV exposure or symptoms develop. Waiting ten days helps to ensure you receive accurate results. A blood sample is required for testing. It will analyze your body’s RNA. At Rapid STD Testing we use the HIV Early Detection Test which allows our patients to receive results with a 99% accuracy rate.
Keep in mind that testing sooner than ten days after exposure could leave you with a false negative result. Those who believe they have been exposed to HIV or have begun to show symptoms should be tested after 2 months using the 4th generation test since it can take that long for HIV antibodies to become present in the blood system.
Treatment for HIV/AIDS
No cure is currently available for HIV/AIDS, but there are various treatment options that can help to ease your HIV symptoms. ART is an antiretroviral treatment that consists of medications that reduce the levels of HIV within your system. The purpose of lowering and weakening HIV levels is to slow the progress of the damage it can cause. It also reduces your risk of transmitting the virus to others and can ease the symptoms you are experiencing.
ART is very efficient, and given time, can make HIV invisible to blood tests, though this doesn’t mean you are cured. In reality, the individual is still infected and still contagious.
Living a healthy lifestyle will boost the effectiveness of your treatment plan. Making improvements to your nutrition, sleep, and exercise plan will put you on a good course to a healthier lifestyle. Other lifestyle changes include reducing levels of stress and avoiding the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Your doctor can help you develop a plan to get you on track for obtaining a healthier lifestyle.
Overcoming the Mental and Emotional Effects of HIV/AIDS
There is sometimes not words adequate enough to explain what individuals feel when they have symptoms of HIV or receive positive test results. To help you cope with the mental and emotions effects of HIV/AIDS, you might want to turn to a mental health professional for help. They can help you work through and overcome the psychological stress that often accompanies life-threatening illness like HIV/AIDS. There are also support groups set up especially for those with HIV/AIDS. Surrounding yourself with a community of others who can relate to your experience can bring a lot of comfort and hope.
Discussing HIV/AIDS with Your Partner
Many people don’t realize how important discussing HIV/AIDS with their sexual partner(s) is. While it can be true that telling other people about your infection can be the hardest part of having HIV, it can also be the most freeing. It is hard to know how someone will react to the news, so the best thing you can do is prepare yourself for the possibilities. Let them know what you have learned from your doctor about HIV/AIDS, the symptoms, and the treatment. Making sure they understand that people with HIV can live happy, full lives can bring them reassurance. Avoid blame when talking with your partner(s) about HIV/AIDS. If neither of you have been consistent about regular testing, it might be difficult to know when and where the virus originated. This is because an individual can be infected for years without ever knowing it.
Pregnancy and HIV/AIDS
It is possible for babies to contract HIV during pregnancy, the birthing process, and even by breastfeeding. Antiretroviral treatment can drastically reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your little one. When treatment is taken seriously and with proper medication, you can drastically reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. In fact, the odds can go from 1 out of every 4 without treatment, to 2 out of every 100 with proper mediation.
If you are pregnant, or if there is a chance you might be, we recommend testing for HIV/AIDS as soon as possible so you can begin treatment.
Other STDs with similar symptoms
- Chlamydia symptoms1–3 weeks after exposure, if they show at all
- Gonorrhea symptoms2–14 days after exposure, if they show at all
- Hepatitis B symptoms1–4 months after exposure, if they show at all
- Hepatitis C symptoms2–12 weeks after exposure, if they show at all
- Herpes symptoms2–12 days after exposure for a first outbreak, if one happens at all
- Syphilis symptoms10–90 days after exposure (average 3 weeks)
- Trichomoniasis symptoms5–28 days after exposure, if they show at all
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Questions people ask about HIV symptoms
Do early HIV symptoms feel like the flu?
Yes – fever, sore throat, aches, rash and swollen glands 2–4 weeks after exposure. Many people never get them. Only a test can tell you.
How soon can I test after exposure?
The HIV RNA early-detection test finds the virus 9–11 days after exposure. The standard 4th-generation test is accurate from about 2–6 weeks. Call us and we’ll tell you which to take.
What happens if I test positive?
Our care team calls you and connects you with a physician the same day. With today’s treatment, people with HIV live a near-normal lifespan and, once undetectable, can’t pass it on sexually.
Do I need symptoms to get tested for HIV?
No. Most people who test have no symptoms. If you had an exposure you’re unsure about, that is reason enough.
Will anyone find out?
No. We never bill insurance, nothing is mailed, the lab doesn’t know what you’re being tested for, and your card statement just says RSC Health. Results go only to your private online account.
