After someone is newly infected with HIV, they may experience some symptoms. Within 1 to 4 weeks, some people have flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, night sweats, rash, aches, and fatigue. These symptoms often go away within a few days to a couple weeks, and once they’re gone, a person typically doesn’t experience additional symptoms for years. When someone enters late-stage HIV, or AIDS, a person can start experiencing more serious health issues such as opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
HIV Symptoms
What Role Do CD4 T-Cells Play in HIV Infection?
HIV destroys CD4 T-cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight off infection. The more CD4 T-cells the virus kills, the weaker an HIV-positive person’s immune system grows. Medical providers make an AIDS diagnosis when the number of CD4 T-cells in an individual’s blood (also known as…
What Are CD4 T-Cells?
CD4 T-cells are white blood cells that fight off infections. HIV thrives off of attacking these cells. However, HIV treatments might help maintain the body’s T-cell count and keep a person healthy. How CD4 T-Cells Work CD4 T-cells (also known as CD4 T lymphocytes) help keep you healthy by attacking…
What Are the Early Signs of an HIV Infection?
The early signs of HIV infection can mimic the symptoms of the flu. Symptoms to keep an eye out for include: Diarrhea Ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals Swollen lymph nodes Headache Thrush, which is an infection of the mouth Sore throat Fever Night sweats Being tired all…
What Are the Symptoms of HIV In Women?
Although the symptoms of HIV differ between men and women, many people experience few to no symptoms when they first become infected with the virus. In those who do experience symptoms, women often have flu-like symptoms, such as exhaustion, muscle aches, fevers, and enlarged lymph nodes. More serious symptoms may…
What Does an HIV Rash Look Like?
A rash is one of the earliest symptoms of HIV and can look different on different people. Changes in the immune system can trigger various types of skin reactions and other symptoms. The most common type of rash shows up on large areas of the body — such as the…
What Are the Symptoms of HIV?
Some of the most common early symptoms of HIV include flu-like symptoms, such as fevers, aching muscles, and night sweats. Flu-like symptoms are most likely to occur within the first one to three weeks after infection. If an HIV infection progresses to late-stage HIV, or AIDS, people can start experiencing…