Progression of HIV Symptoms: An Overview
HIV, a virus that compromises the immune system, has no cure, but antiretroviral drugs have been available as treatment since the late 1980s. This virus is transmitted primarily through sexual contact and the sharing of injection equipment when using injectable drugs.
The only 100% effective method of preventing HIV is to abstain from sex and avoid sharing injection equipment. However, there are ways to reduce the chance of contracting HIV. Using condoms or other barrier methods properly, testing regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), considering taking PrEP, and having honest discussions with partners about sexual health and histories are all crucial steps in reducing the transmission risk.
Individuals who have sex with other AMAB individuals, have had sex with someone who is HIV-positive or whose status is unknown, share needles or syringes, have recently received a diagnosis of an STI, or have had a new sexual partner since their last HIV test fall into the high-risk category.
The first noticeable stage is primary HIV infection, also known as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) or acute HIV infection. Symptoms of primary HIV infection may show up 2 to 4 weeks after initial exposure and can last for several weeks. Fever is the most common symptom, accompanied by headache, sore throat, excessive fatigue, chills, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, a red or discolored, itchy rash with small bumps, mouth ulcers or oral thrush.
If HIV progresses to stage 3 HIV, other medical interventions may be necessary to treat related illnesses or complications that can be fatal. These include persistent high fevers, diarrhea that lasts longer than a week, severe chills and night sweats, white spots in the mouth, genital or anal sores, severe fatigue, rashes, regular coughing and breathing problems, significant weight loss, persistent headaches, memory problems, opportunistic infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, related cancers such as lymphoma or Kaposi sarcoma.
The window period for detecting HIV infection varies depending on the test used. Nucleic acid tests can detect an HIV infection between 10 and 33 days after exposure, while antigen/antibody tests using blood from a vein have a typical window period of 18 to 45 days. Finger-prick antigen/antibody tests can be used 18 to 90 days after potential exposure, and a finger-prick rapid self-test antibody test can be used 23 to 90 days after potential exposure. A positive test result requires confirmatory testing, and if the second test comes back positive, the individual will receive a diagnosis of HIV infection.
The CDC recommends that anyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once for HIV. Individuals who are at higher risk of contracting HIV are advised to test at least once a year. Without treatment, the CDC estimates the average survival rate to be 3 years once a person receives an AIDS diagnosis.
Medications help prevent progression of the disease, maintain quality of life, and can stop the transmission of the virus to other people via sex. A healthcare team will monitor the amount of HIV in an individual's blood with viral load tests and check the number of CD4 cells in the blood, which help fight infections. Immediate and accurate treatment can help manage HIV infection and its symptoms. Antiretroviral drugs can stop the virus from replicating and lower its levels so significantly that it becomes undetectable.
Persons with multiple or frequent sexual partners, especially those engaging in unprotected sex and men who have sex with men (MSM) with changing partners, have an increased risk of HIV infection. For these individuals, regular HIV testing is recommended to detect infections early and reduce transmission risk.
Latency in HIV infection can last up to 10 or 15 years, but it doesn't mean that HIV is gone or that the virus can't be transmitted to others. In some cases, symptoms may not appear for a decade or longer, and the virus may transition to the clinically latent infection stage, also known as asymptomatic or chronic HIV infection. Clinically latent infection may progress to stage 3 HIV, known as AIDS, which can lead to AIDS-defining conditions such as certain infections and cancers.
In conclusion, understanding HIV and its transmission, detection, and treatment is crucial in preventing its spread and managing the disease. Regular testing, safe sexual practices, and open discussions about sexual health are key to reducing the risk of HIV infection.
