World AIDS Day is marked every year to raise awareness about HIV and to remind everyone about the importance of early testing and timely care. Even nowadays, there are a lot of individuals who miss the early symptoms of HIV since they may resemble general sickness. Speaking with Dr Aishwarya R, Consultant - Infectious Diseases, Aster Whitefield Hospital, she said, "The fact that the first signs of the disease are most of the time vague, mild, or even that they are mistaken for a common viral illness. They enumerate symptoms like fever lasting for a long time, tiredness that does not go away, swollen lymph nodes, recurrent oral ulcerations, night sweats, skin rashes of unknown origin, sudden weight loss, and infections happening more frequently that may be signs of a weak immune system and thus should be checked."
Such signals are known to assist individuals in seeking medical assistance early enough and safeguard their well-being in the long run. Here is the simple overview of the signs and symptoms of HIV that should by no means be overlooked.
Early Signs of HIV That Appear In the First Few Weeks
Once an individual gets infected with HIV, he or she may present the symptoms within two to four weeks. This phase is commonly referred to as acute infection of HIV. Most individuals confuse it with seasonal viral disease or flu. Here are the early signs of HIV:
Fever
One of the most widespread initial onset symptoms is a spontaneous increase in body temperature. It can either be a mild fever or a high fever and can be accompanied by chills or sweats.
Sore throat
An early symptom can be a sore throat with no obvious cause. It can be like a throat infection, and it can take a long period in certain cases.
Headache and body pain
A large number of individuals experience fatigue as well as pain in muscles and joints. This pain may last a few days.
Rashes on the skin
There are those who develop red marks or patches on the skin surface. These rashes are not typically itchy; however, they can be on the upper body, face or arms.
Swollen glands
The neck lymph nodes and lymph nodes located below the arms or below the groin area may swell. This occurs due to activation of the immune system to attack the virus.
Digestive issues
There are those who develop nausea, runny stool, or stomach pains. The initial stage may be characterised by these signs that may appear and disappear.
Symptoms That Appear When HIV Weakens the Immune System
HIV weakens the immune system further, provided the infection is untreated. This may result in more severe symptoms with time. Here are some of the them:
Frequent infections
An individual might be becoming ill frequently because of precarious infections. It can be chest infections, mouth infections or skin problems.
Weight loss
Weight loss may come suddenly or without any explanation. This makes the body weak, as the immune system cannot perform well.
Extreme tiredness
The persistent fatigue not relieved by rest is a significant symptom. Individuals might have difficulties with their day-to-day chores and lack energy.
Night sweating
Another symptom that occurs in later stages is waking up in a lot of sweat regardless of the temperature of the room.
Long-lasting fever
A persistent, long-lasting fever with no apparent cause must not be neglected.
Why Early Testing is Important?
According to Dr Aishwarya, "HIV is capable of being symptom-free for several years, during which time the immunity is gradually being damaged, and that is the reason why testing should be done without delay even if no noticeable symptoms are there. They put it as a point of great importance that people living with HIV can, through prompt diagnosis and current ART treatment, reach an undetectable viral load, live long and healthy lives, and stop the virus from being transmitted to their partners."
Conclusion
During World AIDS Day 2025, be aware of the early and late symptoms of HIV. In case any of them occur and persist, contact a doctor to seek medical advice and examination. An early diagnosis helps to save lives and have a healthier future.
