7 Early Stage Symptoms of HIV

Each individual can exhibit different symptoms for the virus they carry in their body. With HIV eating up the CD4 immune cells in a human body, the chances for the affected person to contract various diseases increase as each stage passes onto a more serious one. The first signs of infection usually appear within two months, and in the less healthy people, the symptoms might start to appear in less than a month.

Many people experience symptoms similar to that of the flu; it is the body’s way of responding to the attack of the virus. The duration where your body starts showing such signs is called the seroconversion period. You must make sure to test your blood at this point to make sure if you have been affected by HIV. If the viral load keeps multiplying over time, your health is being subjected to a bigger risk. Look out for the following early-stage symptoms of HIV to head over to a healthcare center for a test, if you experience any of them.

1.      Fever

Fever is usually the first symptom of any

2.      Fatigue and Headache

Feeling lethargic occasionally after a day of activities is natural, but going through such a phase every day indicates declining health conditions. Some people might even end up hyperventilating after a few minutes of walking, while others could be winded. These are other inflammatory responses of your besieged immune system. Fatigue could go on to affect you through all stages of HIV, meaning it would remain both as an early and later symptom.

3.      Swollen Lymph Nodes and Joint Pain

Lymph nodes will get inflamed when the body gets infected, leading to swelling of those parts of the body. The function of the nodes is also impeded, making all bacteria and viruses to enter your body freely. Most of the nodes are located in groin, armpit, and neck, where you will start experiencing pain over time.

4.      Rashes

HIV seroconversion can bring about rashes on your skin as well, both as an early and late symptom. These rashes could surface on your skin in the form of boils.

5.      Vomiting, Nausea, and Diarrhea

HIV can affect the digestive system too, and it could happen in the early stages. Make sure to stay hydrated always since you don’t want to be subject to these multiple times a day.

6.      Dry Cough and Sore Throat

A dry cough that hasn’t been improving for over a month needs to be checked, and your blood must be tested as it could be a symptom of HIV.

7.      Night Sweats

Early stages of HIV could also exhibit symptoms such as night sweats, which could go on increasing in the later stages.