Can You Get an STI From Kissing? Here's What You Should Know
HIV Symptoms In Men
HIV can look different in each person. Not everyone will have the same set of symptoms, and some may not have any signs for a long time.
Most of the time, the signs of HIV are the same for men and women. But there are a few symptoms that are unique to men.
It's important to note that these male-specific symptoms can also be signs of other conditions. If you have any of these, make sure to speak with your doctor.
Low sex drive. This is a sign of hypogonadism, which means your testicles don't make enough of the sex hormone testosterone. This condition is tied to HIV.Hypogonadism can also cause:
Sores on the penis. A common sign of HIV is painful open sores, or ulcers on your mouth or esophagus. They can also appear on your anus or penis. These sores often keep coming back.
Pain or burning while peeing. In most cases, this is a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea or chlamydia. It may signal swelling of the prostate, a small gland beneath the bladder. This condition is called prostatitis. It's sometimes caused by a bacterial infection.
Other symptoms of prostatitis include:
After HIV wins against your immune system, it spreads at a slower rate. This stage is called chronic or clinical latency. In many cases, you won't have any more symptoms.
Without treatment, this stage can last up to 10 to 15 years. But if you take ART regularly, you may stay in this stage for decades and have an up to normal life span.
AIDS is the last stage of HIV. This is when the virus has seriously damaged your immune system. Your body can't fight off many infections, which can lead to symptoms.
Signs of AIDS include:
AIDS can be prevented by starting ART earlier. If you have already developed AIDS, it is important to take ART, but you should not wait this long. Your doctor will prescribe ART to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. You may also need medicine for any infections or issues caused by your weakened immune system.
Key HIV Symptoms You Need To Know
Understanding the symptoms of HIV is paramount, as early detection can dramatically impact treatment outcomes and quality of life
In the realm of public health, few viruses have commanded as much attention and concern as HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. Since its discovery in the 1980s, HIV has posed significant challenges to global health, affecting millions of lives worldwide. Understanding the symptoms of HIV is paramount, as early detection can dramatically impact treatment outcomes and quality of life.
In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the key symptoms of HIV, empowering readers with essential knowledge to recognize potential signs of infection. By shedding light on these symptoms, we aim to equip individuals with the tools they need to protect their health and well-being.
Whether you're seeking clarity for yourself or seeking information for a loved one, delving into the nuances of HIV symptoms can pave the way for informed decision-making and proactive healthcare practices.
Join us as we delve into the intricacies of HIV symptoms, demystifying this complex virus and arming you with the insights necessary to navigate HIV prevention, detection, and treatment with confidence and clarity.
Understanding HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, also known as T cells, which help the immune system fight off infections. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition where the immune system is severely compromised, making individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and other complications.
Key Symptoms of HIVEarly detection of HIV is crucial for initiating treatment and preventing disease progression. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above and suspect you may have been exposed to human immunodeficiency virus, it's essential to seek medical advice promptly. Human immunodeficiency virus testing is readily available and confidential, allowing individuals to know their status and access appropriate care and support.
Understanding the key symptoms of HIV is vital for early detection and timely intervention. By recognizing these symptoms and seeking medical attention promptly, individuals can access the necessary treatment and support to manage the virus effectively. Additionally, practicing safe sex and taking preventive measures, such as using condoms and avoiding needle sharing, can reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission. Stay informed, stay proactive, and prioritize your health and well-being.
This story was created using AI technology.
Better Family Functioning Associated With Lower Depressive Symptoms In Men With HIV
Men who have sex with men who are living with HIV tend to have fewer depressive symptoms if they report better family functioning.
Depressive symptoms in men who have sex with men (MSM) who are living with HIV could be reduced or alleviated by improving family function, according to a study published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.
HIV is rising in prevalence in MSM, with 69.9% of new cases in the US arising in MSM. Depression is very prevalent in this subgroup, with a study from China finding that 36% of MSM who have HIV also have depressive symptoms. Stigma has been known as a risk factor for depressive symptoms in MSM and resilience is a positive adaption to that stigma. These factors can be influenced by the family unit, and the definition of family functioning is the extent to which stressors are addressed as a family unit. This study aimed to assess whether higher levels of family functioning and resilience could lead to lower symptoms of depression and if stigma and resilience mediate any relationship between depressive symptoms and family functioning.
HIV Awareness RibbonImage credit: fizkes - stock.Adobe.Com
This study took place from March to June 2019. All patients were MSM who were recruited from First Hospital of Changsha, China, from the institute of HIV/AIDS. All participants needed to be male, be aged 16 years or older, have contracted HIV through sexual intercourse with another man, and be able to understand the questionnaire. Patients were excluded if they couldn't read, had a disability, had severe symptoms of AIDS, or had a mental disorder.
Family functioning was measured using the APGAR index, which stands for adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve. Each response was graded on a 3-point scale, with 0 meaning "never" and 2 meaning "most of the time," with better family functioning indicated through higher scores. The Social Impact Scale was used to measure stigma, with higher scores on the 4-point Likert scale indicating greater stigma. Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, which had 10 items and was rated on a 5-point Likert Scale. Lastly, depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire, with a 4-point Likert scale and higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
There were 191 participants in this study who had a mean (SD) age of 26.98 (6.07) years. A total of 76.4% of the participants had a college level education or higher and 57.6% lived in rural areas. A mean (SD) of 35.97 (30.30) months had passed since the time of diagnosis in the participants.
Clinical depression was reported in 26.2% of the participants. Duration of HIV infection was significantly different between patients who were depressed and not depressed (t = 2.55), with the patients who were depressed having a longer duration of HIV. The depressed group also had lower family income.
Stigma (r = –0.17) and depressive symptoms (r = –0.25) were negatively associated with family functioning, whereas resilience was positively associated with family functioning (r = 0.18). Resilience and stigma had a negative relationship with each other (r = –0.53) and both had a positive relationship with depressive symptoms (r = 0.53). Duration of HIV infection had a positive association with depressive symptoms (r = 0.18) and depressive symptoms were negatively associated with family monthly income (r = –0.22).
There were some limitations to this study. Memory bias could play a role in this study, as all participants self-reported. This study comprised MSM from 1 province of China, which could limit generalizability. Temporal relationships and causal inferences could not be established based on the cross-sectional design of the study. Other confounding factors were not considered for this study.
The researchers concluded that "Stigma and resilience have mediating effects on the association between family functioning and depressive symptoms among Chinese HIV-positive MSM." Treatment of depression in MSM who are HIV positive can potentially be addressed with this knowledge and with early intervention, they wrote.
Reference
Wang D, Scherffius A, Ouyang X, Deng Q. Family functioning and depressive symptoms among HIV-positive men who have sex with men: mediating roles of stigma and resilience. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2024;17:755-764. Doi:10.2147/PRBM.S449825
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