HIV/AIDS Symptoms

Some people may experience a flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after contracting HIV.

Flu-like symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. It is important to remember that HIV infection may not show up on an HIV test by this time, but people who have it are still highly infectious and can spread the infection to others. Keep in mind that some people can end up not showing any symptoms for up to 10 years! 

After the early stage of HIV infection, the disease moves into a stage called the clinical latency stage (also known as “chronic HIV infection”). People in this stage may still not have any HIV-related symptoms or only slight ones.

For people who aren’t taking medicine to treat HIV, at this point it can last a decade or longer, but some may advance through this phase faster than others. People who are taking medicine to treat HIV and are taking it the right way, can end up being in this stage for many decades because treatment helps keep the virus minimal. 

If you have HIV and you are not taking medication, the virus will eventually weaken your body’s immune system and it will advance to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), also known as, the late stage of HIV infection.

Symptoms can include but are not limited to:

• Extreme weight loss
• Recurring fever
• Unexplained tiredness
• Long-term swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
• Memory loss, and other neurologic disorders.

Remember that these symptoms can also mean that you have contracted a different illness, so do not just assume that you have HIV or AIDS. Get tested if you are worried about it, and if you test positive GET YOUR MEDICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The sooner you start treatment, the better you will feel in the long-run. There is no cure, but it is imperative that you take medication, and take it the correct way if you want the best prognosis possible. 

Reference:

Symptoms of HIV. (2015, December 31). Retrieved October 10, 2016, from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/signs-and-symptoms/

People Living with HIV/AIDS

Before, I discussed a bit about the history of HIV/AIDS so that you could get a better understanding of what it is, exactly. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that about 1.2 million people had died from AIDS related illness by 2014, and 1 in 8 people don't even know that they have HIV (2016).

A few celebrities who have said that they have HIV/AIDS include:

Charlie Sheen, actor, who stated on Nov. 17, 2015, that he is HIV-positive.

Former NBA Player Earvin "Magic" Johnson stated in 1991 that he was diagnosed with HIV.

Freddie Mercury, lead singer for Queen, died when he was 45 on Nov. 24, 1991. (CBS News).

A lot of people, particularly celebrities are afraid of announcing that they had HIV/AIDS. It's a shame because that can lead to people not getting treatment fast enough, and having the disease get worse. Contracting HIV/AIDS may reveal certain behaviors that some people may have wanted to keep private. For example, homosexuality or infidelity may be details that a person may not be ready to disclose about their personal lives (AAMFT).

It is important to stress the fact that people who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS should not be too embarrassed about it to seek help. The disease affects many aspects of their lives and they will need support from family and friends. If you know someone who has been affected by HIV/AIDS it is vital that you tell them that you still love them and care about them so that they feel ready and comfortable enough to seek treatment. It's up to those around them to let them know that they are not alone. 

(aids.gov 2014)


References

Statistics Overview. (2016, March 21). Retrieved October 02, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/overview/

Celebrities with HIV/AIDS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 02, 2016, from http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/celebrities-with-hiv-aids/

Families Living with HIV. (n.d.). Retrieved October 02, 2016, from https://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Consumer_Updates/Families_Living_with_HIV.aspx

U.S. Statistics. (2014, December 2). Retrieved October 02, 2016, from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/