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World AIDS Day 2024: Know The Early Signs And Symptoms Of HIV Infection AIDS
World AIDS Day, marked annually on December 1st, is a global health awareness day dedicated to boosting HIV/AIDS awareness, remembering those who have died as a result of the disease, and supporting people living with HIV. Each year's theme focuses on distinct facets of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, with an emphasis on education and campaigning for an AIDS-free future.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by significant immune system dysfunction. While the onset of AIDS can occur years after the first HIV infection, early warning signals indicate that the immune system is deteriorating. Here are the early signs and symptoms of AIDS.
Early signs and symptoms of AIDSIf a person develops these symptoms and has risk factors for HIV, they should seek prompt medical assistance and testing. Early diagnosis and antiretroviral medication (ART) can keep HIV from developing into AIDS.
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What Does A HIV Rash Look Like And How Is It Treated?
A rash may occur after you contract HIV. It commonly appears on the face and chest but can also appear in other places. Medications used to treat HIV as well as certain infections may also cause rashes, including serious ones.
A rash is a symptom of acute HIV infection that usually occurs within the first 2 months after contracting the virus. Like other initial symptoms of HIV, it's easy to mistake this rash for a symptom of another viral infection. Therefore, it's important to learn how to identify and treat this rash.
According to UC San Diego Health, 90% of people living with HIV experience skin symptoms and changes at some stage of the disease.
The rash can develop because of conditions caused by HIV, or it can be a side effect of medications that treat HIV, called antiretroviral drugs (ART), or by other infections that may be more prevalent in patients with HIV.
Medication alert
Skin rashes associated with antiretroviral therapy are usually not serious and disappear within a few weeks. They're often managed with symptomatic treatment to reduce any discomfort or itchiness. Sometimes, the antiretroviral medication may be changed to a different one.
NNRTIs like nevirapine (Viramune) are a common cause of medication skin rashes. Abacavir (Ziagen) is an NRTI drug that can cause skin rashes. PIs that are likely to cause rashes include tipranavir (Aptivus).
Whether caused by an HIV medication or by HIV itself, the rash typically appears as a red, flattened area on the skin that's usually covered with small red bumps.
The rash may be itchy. It can appear on any part of the body, but it most often occurs on the face, chest, and sometimes on the feet and hands.
Range of severity
Some rashes associated with acute HIV infection or HIV medications are mild. Other rashes can cause serious damage to the skin, causing them to be life threatening.
One rare but potentially serious skin rash that can develop through the use of antiretroviral drugs is Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). When this condition covers 30% of the body, it's called toxic epidermal necrolysis. The symptoms of SJS include:
Your treatment plan for an HIV rash will depend on the cause of the rash. If you are HIV positive and experience a rash that isn't relieved by over-the-counter drugs like hydrocortisone cream or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), see a healthcare professional who can determine the cause.
If your rash is a result of the infection itself, HIV medications can help your skin by restoring your immune system and reducing your viral load.
However, if the rash turns out to be caused by your current drug regimen, it may be treated by changing medications as determined by your doctor.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to medication, some lifestyle changes may help alleviate the symptoms of the mild form of this rash. Avoiding heat and direct sunlight can improve some rashes. Hot showers and baths can make the rash worse.
Sometimes, starting a new medication, trying a new soap, or eating a particular food may coincide with developing a rash. In this case, an allergy may be the cause. People living with HIV should contact their healthcare professionals if they notice a rash or are unsure about the cause.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about HIV rash.
How do I know if my rash is related to HIV?
The only definitive way to know whether your rash is related to HIV is to see a healthcare professional. A doctor or dermatologist can evaluate the rash, order testing, and confirm a diagnosis. If you're concerned about your risk of HIV infection, it's important to talk with a healthcare professional for guidance.
What part of the body does an HIV rash appear on?
The rash can appear anywhere on the body but commonly occurs on the face, chest, feet, and hands.
Does HIV rash appear suddenly?
The rash can appear suddenly and is often accompanied by an itchy, burning sensation.
What does HIV rash look like?
The rash typically appears as a red, flattened area on the skin covered with small red bumps. It may range from mild to severe. Rashes can indicate many different conditions, so it's important to consult with a healthcare professional.
Someone unsure of the cause of their rash and thinks they may have been exposed to HIV should make an appointment with their healthcare professional. Let them know of any skin changes you have developed. This will help the healthcare professional make a diagnosis.
HIV Cases Among Youth Raise Concerns
The rise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases among the youth in Lapu-Lapu City, including individuals as young as 15 years old, has reached an alarming level.
Dr. Neil Victor Pajugot, an HIV and Aids core team physician at the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office, said 23 HIV cases were reported among individuals aged 15 to 24 from January to June this year, making it the second most affected age group.
Pajugot attributed the rise in HIV cases among the 15-24 age group to the amendment of Republic Act 11166, also known as the Philippine HIV and Aids Policy Act, which removed the requirement for proxy consent, allowing individuals aged 15 and above to undergo HIV testing without parental or guardian approval.
"So, if they are at risk na makakuha sa infection or mostly ani nila niari lang sa social hygiene, and then ilang tuyo lang kay 'Dr., naay nana nigawas sa akong kinataw or naa koy STI,' then it's a package if naa na gane ingon ana, free HIV test dayon," said Pajugot.
(So, if they are at risk of getting the infection, or most of them come to our social hygiene clinics saying, 'Doctor, I have something coming out of my genitals or I think I have an STI,' then it's a package—if they have those symptoms, we offer a free HIV test right away.)
"Mostly ana nila madakpan pud namo ingon ana na pamaagi kay no need naman for proxy consent," he added.
(Most of them are also detected that way because there's no need for proxy consent.)
Pajugot said the situation is alarming because it means infected youth will need to start treatment at an early age. He added that this could be managed more effectively with proper early intervention.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan underscored this concern during his State of the Children's Address on Dec. 6, 2024.
"Statistics show that there are significant cases involving minors, in short, nagkabata na ang nataptan sa maong sakit (younger people are now being affected by the disease). That is why we are taking concrete steps to address this concern," said Chan.
Knowing HIV
The national HIV Registry recorded 746 HIV cases in Lapu-Lapu City from 1984 to June 2024.
Of the number, 381 cases were in the 25-34 age group, while 261 were in the 15-24 age range.
In the first six months of 2024, 27 HIV cases were recorded in the 25-34 age group, followed by 23 cases in the 15-24 age group, 12 cases in the 35-49 age group, and one case among individuals aged 50 and older.
The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Resu) 7 also reported that Lapu-Lapu City has recorded 36 HIV/Aids deaths from 2022 to June 2024.
HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or Aids, occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.
Pajugot said not all HIV cases of the younger age group were acquired from sex or unprotected sex; some acquired the infection due to transmission from mother to child, or vertical transmission.
Pajugot said the scientifically proven modes of HIV transmission include:
Unprotected sexual contact involving bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, and anal fluids)
Sharing of needles or syringes
Transmission from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding if no interventions are in place, and
Blood transfusions with contaminated blood, though this is now extremely rare due to stringent blood screening protocols.
Pajugot debunked misconceptions about HIV transmission, clarifying that it cannot be contracted through saliva, mosquito bites, swimming in the sea, or sharing food and utensils.
"Sayop na notion na makuha from saliva, di makuha ang HIV sa paak sa lamok sa pagligo sa dagat, share sa kaon and spoon. Makuha gyud sya from bodily fluids, semen, vaginal fluid, anal fluid, unprotected sex and needles na gi-share sa uban," said Pajugot.
(It's a misconception that HIV can be transmitted through saliva. You can't get HIV from a mosquito bite, swimming in the ocean, or sharing food and utensils. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, unprotected sex, and shared needles.)
He added that HIV progresses through three distinct stages: active HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and eventually, Aids or the advanced stage of HIV.
Pajugot said that early symptoms of HIV often resemble the flu, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, which are commonly vague and can easily
go unnoticed.
Patients in Stages 1 and 2 of HIV in Lapu-Lapu City are referred to a satellite facility for comprehensive treatment.
However, patients with severe symptoms, such as those in Stage 3 or 4, are immediately admitted to a private hospital in Cebu City for urgent care.
"Dinhi man gud sa atoang facility, testing paman ta. So, ang nakanindot if naa mi madakpan na reactive or positive, we enroll these individuals in satellite facilities like the Mandaue Social Hygiene Clinic if iyang HIV staging is stage 1 and 2, pasabot stable pa ang pasyente," said Pajugot.
(Here at our facility, we only conduct testing. The advantage is that if we find someone who is reactive or positive, we refer these individuals to satellite facilities like the Mandaue Social Hygiene Clinic if their HIV staging is Stage 1 or 2, meaning the patient is still stable.)
"Pero if di na gani stable, kutas na kaayo, bedridden, skin and bones na, HIV stage 3 and 4 admit na dayon sa Vicente Sotto (Memorial Medical Center)," he added.
(However, if the patient is no longer stable—if they are in a critical condition, bedridden, or in Stage 3 or 4, we immediately admit them to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.)
Pajugot blamed the poor reproductive health background for the rise of HIV cases.
"Sad to say, atong family, atong parents, mao gyud unta ni sila ang una mu-educate sa ilang mga bata regarding sex and reproductive health, but since it is part of our culture, na taboo siya, di nato siya gina-open up," said Pajugot.
(Sad to say it's the family, especially parents, who should be the first to educate their children regarding sex and reproductive health, but since it's considered taboo in our culture, we don't openly discuss it.)
Pajugot said there is no open discussion about reproductive health, thus, most of the youngsters are exposed to infection without knowing the risks.
Combating HIV
The CHO has been conducting a reproductive health caravan in the city to discuss reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and teenage pregnancy.
Pajugot said the Reproductive Health Caravan 101 was launched earlier in 2024 and is held every Saturday across the 30 barangays in Lapu-Lapu City.
He said the caravan aims to mitigate both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among individuals across all age groups.
The CHO also offers free services, including self-test kits and pre-exposure prophylaxis, along with condoms and lubricants.
Pajugot advocates for abstinence, faithfulness to one's partner, and consistent condom use as primary prevention methods for HIV, while urging city residents to educate themselves about reproductive health to address the rising infection rates.
"If you're not informed about reproductive health, take the time to educate yourself," said Pajugot.
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