I Had Unprotected Sex: What Should I Do?
7 Early Warning Signs Of An HIV Infection
Sore muscles and swollen lymph nodes could be subtle red flags.
Sore muscles and swollen lymph nodes could be subtle red flags.
During the first few weeks of being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), most people — roughly two-thirds — experience a mix of flu-like symptoms that indicate their body is reacting to the virus. After being exposed to the virus, your immune system jumps into action to get control of the infection and clear it from your body.
This early phase of infection, known as acute retroviral syndrome or acute HIV infection, can be so mild that certain individuals may not even notice they're sick. People often mistake the symptoms, such as a fever or headache, for the flu, mononucleosis or tonsillitis.
In most cases, these early signs only last a week or two. "It basically feels like a flu reaction since the initial HIV viral load is very high," saidDr.Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
Regardless of whether you feel sick, these first few weeks are some of the most infectious. Being aware of these symptoms, especially if you recently had sexual contact with a new partner or multiple partners, can help you get tested and take steps to reduce the impact HIV can have on your health ― in the short and long term.
Here's what to look for if you think you might have been exposed to HIV:
FeverThe most common early warning sign is a fever, usually at 100.4ºF or higher. One report investigating acute HIV symptoms in 155 patients found that 66% reported a fever.
Soon after infection, the virus swims throughout your bloodstream and replicates. The viral load is very high after seroconversion (becoming infected with HIV), and a fever is the body's way of trying to fight the virus, explains Gandhi.
"The usual response to a pathogen is to mount a fever in order to try to recruit immune cells to kill the pathogen," Gandhi said.
FatigueFatigue, or a general sense of weariness or exhaustion, is common in many infections, HIV included. The fatigue may be mild, but, in some cases, it can be so intense that it impacts quality of life, social connectedness, job productivity, level of physical activity, well-being and health-seeking behaviors, research shows.
"When one's body is fighting infections, there's a lot of chemicals that get released called cytokines," said Dr. Philip Grant, an infectious diseases specialist at Stanford Medicine. While these chemicals help combat infections, that process can be exhausting, he added.
Roughly two-thirds of people experience flu-like symptoms in the first few weeks of an HIV infection.
Roughly two-thirds of people experience flu-like symptoms in the first few weeks of an HIV infection.
HeadacheAfter seroconversion, your head may also start to ache. One study found that over half of HIV-positive participants who were seen at a clinic reported a headache. It's the most common neurological complaint associated with HIV.
According to Grant, some people with acute HIV may develop meningitis or inflammation in the meninges caused by the virus entering cerebral-spinal fluid. That can cause a headache, according to Grant, but a headache can also just be the body's typical response to all the cytokines swirling around.
Swollen Lymph NodesYour lymph nodes — located in the armpit, groin and neck areas — may also become enlarged. Part of the immune system is located in the lymph nodes, and in the early days of an infection, your body boosts the production of immune cells.
"That's why you get more cells there and why the lymph nodes are getting swollen," Grant said.
Many people notice the swollen glands in their neck, Grant said. He added that people usually won't have a single swollen node but a cluster of swollen lymph nodes. While lymph nodes can swell up in other areas, like the groin and armpits, many people don't notice them as readily as the ones in their neck.
Sore ThroatAnother common early symptom of HIV is a sore throat or tonsillitis. According to Grant, tonsils in the back of your throat are lymphatic tissue, meaning it's an area where the body is actively fighting infection. They help filter out germs and protect your body from harm, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If your tonsils are inflamed, it may be uncomfortable, even painful, to swallow. Grant says he's had patients go to the emergency room assuming they had tonsillitis or a strep infection only to learn they have HIV.
RashSome people will suddenly develop a rash, which will cause a patch of your skin to feel itchy, red and painful. A rash occurs in about 50% of people infected with HIV, usually three or so days after the fever appears.
HIV-related rashes can occur anywhere on the body, but they're often located on the torso and face, evidence suggests. Again, the rash is a common symptom of many infections, including chicken pox, measles, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease, so it may not be initially obvious it's related to HIV, Grant said.
Muscle And Joint PainRoughly half of people with an acute HIV infection experience muscle aches, according to the National Institutes of Health. They typically set in a week after contracting HIV and, again, feel similar to the aches triggered by influenza.
Cytokines promote inflammation throughout your body."When cytokines are released, the body can feel very tired with muscle and joint aches, which makes the body 'slow down' as it tries to fight an infection," Gandhi said.
The main takeaway: "It's a lot like the flu, it's almost indistinguishable," Grant explained. If you have any of these early HIV symptoms and recently had sex with more than one partner or have had sex with someone whose sexual history you don't know about (or your partner has), it's important to check in with a healthier provider and get tested.
You can do so at your primary care doctor's office, through your local health department, a health clinic, or at an HIV testing site (here's a nationwide directory).
The sooner you get tested, the earlier you can start treatment, if need be. When given in the first few weeks of infection, antiretrovirals can inhibit viral replication, reduce symptoms, and, ultimately, improve long-term health outcomes. These early signs may not be obvious, but being aware of them and taking action as soon as possible can help you protect your health and avoid transmitting the infection to others.
Signs And Symptoms Not Present During Acute HIV-1 Infection
HealthDay News — Few symptoms and signs are observed during acute HIV-1 infection, and these are most common before peak viremia, according to a study published online May 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Merlin L. Robb, MD, from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Md., and colleagues performed twice-weekly qualitative plasma HIV-1 RNA nucleic acid testing in 2,276 volunteers at high risk for HIV-1 infection.
Fifty of 112 volunteers with acute HIV-1 infection had two or more blood samples collected before HIV-1 antibody detection. The researchers found that the median peak viremia occurred 13 days after nucleic acid testing reactivity appeared in the first sample. At a median of 14 days, reactivity on an enzyme immunoassay occurred. At a median of 31 days, the nadir of viremia occurred, which was nearly equivalent to the viral-load set point, the steady-state viremia that persists durably after viremia resolution. There was a correlation between peak viremia and downslope with viral-load set point. Just before and at the time of peak viremia, clinical manifestations of acute HIV-1 infection were most common. A median of 1 symptom of acute HIV-1 infection and 1 sign of acute HIV-1 infection were recorded at a median of 2 and 3 visits, respectively.
"During the acute phase, identification of cases of HIV-1 on the basis of clinical criteria may prove to be difficult," the authors write.
World Sexual Health Day 2025: Warning Signs Of STDs Every Young Adult Should Know
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) a conditions that are caused when Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are left untreated. Check out the serious consequences beyond the immediate impact of STIs.World Sexual Health Day 2025: Observed annually on September 4, World Sexual Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health to overall health and well-being. The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) deemed September 4 as World Sexual Health Day in 2010.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognises this day and affirmed its commitment to advancing sexual health and well-being across the life course as integral to fostering healthy societies in which all people experience their sexuality positively and with dignity.
As we observe World Sexual Health Day 2025, understanding and maintaining sexual health includes being aware of the warning signs of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
STDs Vs STIsSexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) a conditions that are caused when Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are left untreated. "Think of an infection as the first step on the road to disease. Infections haven't yet turned into disease and often don't cause any symptoms," Healthline explains.
It added, "This is actually why many experts are pushing to use STI over STD, and believe 'STD' is misleading."
About STIsAccording to WHO, about 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. As per the data available, about 1 million curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide, particularly in people between 15 49 years old.
Warning Signs Of STIsSTIs can have serious consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself. Here are some warning signs of STIs, as per the WHO:
Symptoms to watch out for STIs, as per Healthline:
The National Health Service (NHS) recommends going to a sexual health clinic if:
Lastly, the UK healthcare system suggests not having sex, including oral sex, without using a condom until you've had a check-up or been tested.
Follow TheHealthSite.Com for all the latest health news and developments from around the world.
FAQs How Are STDs Diagnosed?To diagnose STDs, doctors perform laboratory tests of blood, urine, or swabs from the affected area.
What Are The Common Types Of STDs?Some of the common types of STDs include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and Trichomoniasis.
About the Author N. Lothungbeni HumtsoeN. Lothungbeni Humtsoe is a Health and Lifestyle Journalist with over 7 years of experience in the media industry. She holds a Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Patkai Christian Coll ... Read More
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