Signs and Symptoms Of HIV in Men & Women? | Metropolis TruHealth Blog

Signs And Symptoms Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can move through stages: acute HIV (stage 1), clinical latency (stage 2), and AIDS (stage 3). The symptoms of each stage can look different. Those in an early stage of HIV can have flu-like symptoms, while those in an advanced stage can have severe infections.   

HIV affects the immune system's ability to fight infections. You can get HIV or pass HIV to someone through blood, semen and pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid, and breast milk that contains the virus. The virus is transmitted from person to person when these body fluids come into contact with your body's tissue, blood, or broken skin (e.G., open wounds).

The method of transmission of HIV can vary. You may get or pass HIV through:

Perinatal transmission from birth parent to child (i.E., through pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding)

Sharing needles, syringes, and other drug injection equipment

Unprotected vaginal or anal sex

Acute (sudden) HIV starts two to four weeks after you get the virus. Acute HIV is also known as primary HIV. The virus multiplies very quickly in the immune system during this stage. Two-thirds of people in this stage experience flu-like symptoms, while some people don't have symptoms at all. Symptoms in the acute stage can last a few days to several weeks and may include: Chills Fatigue Fever Mouth ulcers Muscle aches Night sweats Rash Sore throat Swollen lymph nodes Symptoms can last a few days to several weeks. Acute-stage HIV symptoms can mimic other conditions, like the flu or common cold. It's important to not assume that you have HIV. You may consider getting tested for the virus if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. The clinical latency stage, or chronic HIV, is the second stage of HIV. The virus continues to multiply but much more slowly than in the acute stage during this stage. You might not experience any symptoms as a result. You can still transmit the virus to someone else even if you have no symptoms if you are not taking any treatment for HIV. People can stay in the clinical latency stage for an average of 10 years without treatment. Symptoms and disease progression vary from person to person. You can move through this stage more quickly or slowly than the average time. You can decrease your viral load (the amount of HIV that you have that you can transmit to someone else) to an undetectable level if you are taking treatments. This stage can last for several decades while you're on treatment. HIV can continue to slowly multiply and weaken your immune system over time and without treatment. This can result in the third and final stage of HIV: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), also known as late-stage HIV. AIDS symptoms include: Colored blotches or patches on or under the skin and inside the mouth, nose, and eyelids Depression Diarrhea that lasts for more than seven days Feeling extremely tired  Memory loss  Pneumonia Rapid weight loss (sometimes called wasting) Recurring fever Sores on the mouth, buttocks, and genitals Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, and groin that last a long time You may receive an AIDS stage diagnosis if: The number of CD4 cells in your blood falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3). You develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of how many CD4 cells you have. AIDS symptoms are often related to opportunistic infections (OIs) or an AIDS-defining illness. Certain illnesses occur more frequently and severely in people with AIDS. OIs occur when HIV has caused too much damage to the body's immune system and can no longer fight off infections. Some OIs include:  Taking HIV medications as prescribed can slow disease progression and prevent AIDS. You can live with AIDS for about three years without treatment. Your life expectancy can shorten to one year if you develop an OI and are not taking treatment.  Deciding whether to take treatment or not isn't always a choice. Not everyone has access to necessary healthcare services. This can be due to poverty, lack of insurance, racial disparities in the healthcare system, cultural stigma about HIV, and other factors. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your HIV status is a powerful way to help take care of yourself and your partners.  Keep in mind: Don't rely only on symptoms as a way to tell if you are living with HIV. HIV symptoms can mimic other conditions. You might not have any symptoms at all. Reach out to a healthcare provider or local clinic to learn more about testing if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. You can get a test for HIV at a healthcare provider's office, local health department, and family planning clinics, among others. You can also test for HIV at home. Testing is available for free if you have health insurance. Some testing sites still offer tests for free or on a sliding scale based on your income if you do not have insurance. Please visit HIV.Gov's testing overview here for more information about testing. Use the CDC resource here to find an HIV testing site near you.  HIV is a serious and chronic (long-lasting) condition that attacks and destroys CD4 cells in your immune system. HIV can progress through three stages: the acute stage, the clinical latency stage, and the AIDS stage. Your symptoms may change depending on your HIV's current stage.  It's good practice to get tested if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. Testing is the only way you can confirm a diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Thanks for your feedback!

N.Y. Gov. Hochul Signs Legislation To Rename Subway Stop In Honor Of Stonewall Inn, Support People Living With HIV/AIDS

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed a legislative package comprised of five laws aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

"New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and has always been a leader in advancing equality and justice for all Americans," said Hochul. "As elected officials in other states are using their powers to take those rights away, I am proud to sign legislation to uplift LGBTQ+ history and address inequities experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS, further ensuring our state is a safe and affirming place for everyone."

One law permits the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway stop in Manhattan to be renamed the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station. The move is meant to mark the significance of the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 riots that sparked the worldwide LGBTQ+ human rights movement.

The remaining four laws improve HIV-related testing requirements and timely diagnosis of HIV; prohibit discrimination against individuals prescribed PrEP for HIV prevention; prohibit insurers from restricting or delaying prescription drugs to a person for HIV or AIDS; and clarify that insurers cannot impose copayments for PrEP or PEP to prevent HIV infection.

"This suite of bills signed by the governor today demonstrates the commitment on behalf of Gov. Hochul and the New York State Legislature, in particular Majority Leader (Andrea) Stewart-Cousins and Speaker (Carl) Heastie, to ensure that LGBTQ New Yorkers have every right and protection afforded to them under New York State law," said state Sen. Brad Hoylamn-Sigal.

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Tasty Summer Fruit Could Reduce Signs Of Ageing - And Is Low In Sugar

Raspberries are a versatile fruit and besides tasting good, they could even help reduce signs of aging

Nutrient-rich and low in calories, raspberries make a useful addition to most diets (

Image: Getty Images)

Raspberries are a delicious summer fruit that can provide a whole range of health benefits. Eating about 20 fresh berries counts as one of your five-a-day.

Beyond that, raspberries are nutrient rich, low in calories and are good for you for number of other reasons. Raspberries are a great source of antitoxins and polyphenols - a protective plant compounds that may help reduce the physical signs of ageing and enhance balance and strength.

As you grow older, the levels of collagen in your skin decrease, leading to the formation of wrinkles and sagging. Raspberries are abundant in Vitamin C, which not only aids in improving collagen production but also repairing skin damage caused by the sun.

With a low glycaemic index (GI) and high fibre content, raspberries are also a useful inclusion if you need to monitor your blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that when raspberries are eaten alongside a high-fat diet, they may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin response.

This may be because raspberries are rich in tannins natural, plant compounds that inhibit the enzymes that break down starches. Raspberries are also packed with antioxidants that could potentially offer protection against cancer.

Further studies suggest that these berries might be beneficial in combating colon, breast and liver cancer. The pinkish red berries are loaded with anti-inflammatory plant compounds, including anthocyanins.

Research also indicates that these fruits may help reduce arthritis symptoms, lower the risk of developing the condition, and minimise joint damage in those who do develop it.

A 2017 study found that mice suffering from metabolic syndrome (a term used to describe a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity) showed improvements in weight and insulin sensitivity when fed a single serving of raspberries daily. While there is a body of research supporting these findings, more studies are needed to determine their relevance to humans.

Raspberries are one of the lowest sugar fruits you can eat, with one cup containing just 5g. While they can sometimes taste a little tart, raspberries sweeten the more they ripen, making them a great pick for those with a sweet tooth.

Most of these tests and studies have been conducted on animal models, so more human trials are needed to fully understand the implications for us.

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