The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause a life-threatening disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system, which leaves the body unprotected from other infections. HIV specifically targets CD4 cells. These cells mainly aid the immune system in fighting infections. Early HIV positive symptoms can appear within a few weeks of contracting the virus.

HIV signs and symptoms

HIV progresses in stages and each of these stages have different symptoms.

Symptoms of HIV during the early stage:

Early signs of HIV begin to appear within 24 weeks after the getting infection. These early HIV positive signs can last for a few weeks. These include the following:

– Fever
– Rash
– Muscle ache, joint pain, headaches
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Sore throat

Symptoms of HIV during the clinical latency stage

The clinical latency stage of HIV comes after the early phase of the infection. This stage is also called chronic HIV infection. There are not many symptoms at this stage of the infection or these can be very mild. For those not undergoing any kind of HIV infection treatment, this stage can last for at least a decade or longer. But for those seeking treatment, this second stage can continue for many decades without progressing to the last stage.

Some of the mild symptoms at the chronic HIV infection stage are:

– Fever
– Diarrhea
– Fatigue
– Weight loss
– Other yeast or viral infections

Symptoms of HIV during the last stage:

If not treated, the disease progresses to the last stage within a decade or so. This last stage is when AIDS develops.

HIV signs and symptoms during AIDS are as follows:

– Recurring fever
– Night sweats
– Weight loss
– Chronic diarrhea
– Rash
– Persistent fatigue
– Sores in the mouth
– Perpetual swelling in the lymph nodes
– Pneumonia
– Depression, memory loss

Treatment for HIV

The treatment for HIV must ideally begin as soon as one tests positive for the virus. On observing the first HIV warning signs, it is imperative to consult a doctor and arrange for a test to confirm the infection.

There are many different types of treatment options that treat HIV. Each treatment for HIV fights the infection in a different way. Doctors prescribe these treatments in a combination of 23 different types. This is a preventable measure to stop the viruses from becoming resistant to a specific type of drug and thus become ineffective.

Treatment for HIV should begin as early as possible. But it is especially important if the CD4 count is lower than 350, if someone is pregnant, receiving treatment for infections like hepatitis or if the symptoms are severe.

Doctors formulate a treatment plan for HIV after checking the CD4 count of the patients. The objective of the HIV treatment is to lower the viral load in the body. The treatment plan can be different for individuals, depending on their health and HIV stage.