HIV is mostly transmitted by way of anal sexual intercourse or vaginal sexual intercourse with an contaminated particular person. You can also transmit HIV by blood, such as by sharing needles during drug use, or by way of childbirth or breastfeeding. It is extremely scarce to get HIV as a result of oral intercourse. You are unable to get HIV by sharing meals or beverages, touching objects employed by an contaminated human being, or from mosquito bites.

There is a ton of extremely practical information offered on-line about HIV, but it is nonetheless a misunderstood matter. The HIV virus and its remedy have appear a long way because it was initial discovered in the 1980s. You can nonetheless guide a regular lifetime with HIV, as early diagnosis and efficient treatment can slow the progression of the virus and prevent really serious wellness difficulties. In this short article, we will outline some early HIV indicators and share information on the following techniques to acquire.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that assaults the immune procedure, which is our body’s organic defence versus illness. In excess of time, HIV can lead to major overall health complications and guide to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if remaining untreated taken care of. It is approximated that around 100,000 persons are living with HIV in the British isles. All around 5,000 of these are undiagnosed, so do not know they are HIV optimistic.

Indications of HIV

There is a false impression that only selected teams of men and women, this sort of as gay males or drug customers are at danger of contracting HIV. This is false – any individual can get HIV. HIV symptoms can range from particular person to human being, and some persons may perhaps not experience any indications at all after getting infected. Having said that, the most common early symptoms of HIV involve:

• Flu-like sickness these as fever, exhaustion and/or a sore throat
• Entire body rash
• Swollen lymph glands
• Mouth ulcers
• Muscle mass and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Night time sweats
• Unexplained excess weight decline

If you have any of these indicators, it is vital to see a health practitioner or buy an HIV exam. If you are diagnosed HIV good, a medical professional will function with you to create a procedure system. It is crucial to start off HIV procedure as soon as feasible to gradual the progression of the virus and stop severe wellness problems.

HIV indicators in ladies

In addition to the indications outlined higher than, women with HIV might also working experience:

• Vaginal yeast infections
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Pelvic inflammatory sickness
• Bacterial bacterial infections of the vagina

HIV indications in gentlemen

Guys with HIV might also knowledge:

Testing for HIV

If you have had sexual get hold of with an HIV beneficial particular person and/or are experiencing any HIV signs or symptoms, it’s critical to take a test. It might experience frightening, but it truly is scarier not realizing a constructive HIV position. You can purchase a dwelling STI examination kit from iPlaySafe here. It will be shipped inside 2-5 functioning times and you can acquire the HIV test at home. You’ll be demanded to just take a blood examination and deliver a urine sample and return them to the lab in the pre-paid out envelope presented. It is a speedy and very simple way to examination, and you can come across out a lot more information about the method below.

What is the HIV window period of time?

The HIV window interval is the time it usually takes for a person’s body to deliver plenty of HIV antibodies to be detected in a test. This can vary from a few months to many months, based on your immune program and its reaction to the virus. Through this time, a man or woman who has been infected with HIV may perhaps not have plenty of antibodies in their blood to be detected by an HIV test, even if they are previously contagious and can transmit the virus to other individuals. If you have been exposed to HIV it truly is critical to get examined as quickly as feasible and to repeat the check many weeks later on to validate the effects. This will support be certain that you get the important healthcare treatment and help if you are identified to be HIV positive.

Managing and residing with HIV

HIV cure is successful and enables individuals living with HIV to have very long and healthy lives. HIV drugs is called antiretroviral treatment and it will work by suppressing the virus to develop an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load suggests that there is not sufficient of the virus current in a person’s blood to be detected by a viral load exam. This doesn’t indicate the human being is remedied. It indicates that the threat of transmitting HIV to other individuals is drastically lowered.

If you are diagnosed HIV beneficial you can even now have relationships and have sexual intercourse, as extended as you are acquiring antiretroviral treatment and are open and genuine with individuals you might be coming into sexual get hold of with. Your opportunity sexual associates ought to consider pre-publicity prophylaxis (PrEP), which is a pill that can lessen the hazard of HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken as prescribed. Come across out extra about PrEP right here.

FAQs

What is usually the first symptom of HIV?

The initially signs or symptoms of HIV can change from man or woman to particular person. For some men and women, the 1st signs may perhaps look within a few months following an infection. Other individuals may well wait around quite a few a long time for symptoms to produce. The most popular signs or symptoms of early phase HIV involve:

• Flu-like signs these kinds of as fever or sore throat
• Excessive and unexplained tiredness
• System rashes
• Swollen lymph nodes

When do indications of HIV start out exhibiting?

Most men and women infected with HIV experience mild indicators and a flu-like illness that takes place 2-6 weeks right after infection, as the body’s immune system starts to battle the virus. Once these initial indications disappear HIV may possibly not display any signs and symptoms for quite a few decades.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it will not automatically mean you have HIV. These signs and symptoms are shared by other illnesses. But if you have experienced intercourse with an individual that is HIV favourable or have any other reason to think you may possibly have been uncovered you must purchase a property STI examination package right here.

How can you notify if somebody is HIV constructive?

The only way to know for positive if another person is HIV positive is for them to endure HIV tests. Be conscious of the window period as numerous assessments might be wanted to ensure the results are precise.

What are the 4 phases of HIV infection?

The 4 stages of HIV an infection are:

1. Acute HIV an infection: This is the initial phase of HIV an infection, and it typically happens inside of a handful of weeks of staying infected. For the duration of this stage, the virus replicates quickly and can be transmitted to other people. Signs and symptoms of acute HIV an infection may perhaps incorporate fever, exhaustion, sore throat, and a rash.
2. Scientific latency: Also regarded as the asymptomatic stage, this is the 2nd stage of HIV an infection. Throughout this stage, the virus proceeds to replicate, but at a a lot slower amount. Most individuals do not have any indicators during this phase, but the virus is even now present in the system and can continue to be transmitted to other people.
3. AIDS: The third stage of HIV an infection is known as AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This stage is characterised by a weakened immune program, which makes it tricky for the overall body to struggle off bacterial infections and health conditions. Persons with AIDS may possibly expertise signs this kind of as fever, body weight loss, and extreme tiredness.
4. AIDS-defining opportunistic infections: The last phase of HIV infection is characterised by the advancement of opportunistic infections, which are infections that occur in men and women with weakened immune systems. These bacterial infections can be really serious and even lifestyle-threatening if not taken care of instantly. Examples of opportunistic infections include things like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and selected forms of cancer.

It is important to note that the development of HIV from one particular stage to the upcoming can fluctuate based on a selection of elements, like the person’s total wellness and the performance of their treatment method.

Can HIV signs or symptoms seem in 3 times?

It is not widespread for HIV signs to look in just a few days of an infection. In most scenarios, signs and symptoms surface inside 7-14 days of exposure. Nonetheless, if you happen to be at all worried you must purchase a check or converse to a health practitioner for peace of thoughts.

Can HIV be treated at an early phase?

HIV can’t be cured, but it can be taken care of and managed with health care care and help you to dwell a prolonged and balanced life. With an early diagnosis and prompt remedy, HIV medicine (antiretroviral remedy, or Art) will suppress the virus and avert it from multiplying. Art is as straightforward as a each day blend of tablets that support to prevent even more indicators and the development of HIV in your human body. 

If I have HIV, what comes about upcoming?

If your HIV test result will come back again favourable, it can be usual to really feel frightened. There is a stigma around sexually transmitted infections and people tend to experience anxiety, shame and anger/upset when they are identified. But you have very little to be ashamed of, and there are so quite a few means on line and aid groups to assistance you by this method. iPlaySafe has a complete blog site devoted to the next ways just after an HIV prognosis, featuring HIV+ activist Jay Hawkridge. You can uncover that listed here. You can also come across beneficial data and support by the Terrence Higgins Have faith in.