Being HIV positive is a cause of massive social ostracism even today. Although we are aware that the HIV virus does not spread by touch or social contact, the general population is wary of HIV positive people. That is why, many patients are forced to hide their conditions. The converse of this statement is also very true. Sometimes, a person may be genuinely unaware that he/ she is suffering from AIDS. The initial signs of a HIV positive person are not very obvious.
But if you are well-informed about the basic signs of HIV positive people, you might be able to help them. It can be a family member, your spouse or a friend who has AIDS without having a conscious knowledge about it. You need to watch out for the signs of being HIV positive in people around you for their own safety and also yours. Especially if you are in a relationship with someone, you must ensure that these signs of being HIV positive are not present in him/ her.
It is always best to do a HIV test to be on the safer side. But relationships usually do not follow a set of pattern or rules. That is why, you need to use your own intuitions and knowledge to yourself and others safe. Here are some very core signs of HIV positive person. If you notice these signs in a person who is close to you, make sure he or she gets a HIV test done immediately.
When you first come in contact with the HIV virus, you may have a short feverish stretch. After the incubation periods, one of the first signs of a HIV positive person is frequent and long lasting spells of fever.
Fatigue is hard to distinguish for normal tiredness. But if a person is sleeping well and not overloaded with work, then fatigue could mean you need to investigate the cause of tiredness.
If a person is coughing persistently and yet there is no phlegm or cold infection, then it could mean they are HIV positive. This hollow sounding cough sounds very similar to a smoker's cough.
This is one of the commonest signs of being HIV positive. Most HIV patients have a reddish and raw tinge to their skin. Their skin becomes dry and peels off very easily.
When a virus starts corrupting the body's system then nausea is a common symptom. Even a viral fever can give you this symptom but in case of HIV it will be persistent.
HIV positive people often have headaches and heaviness in their head. If you see that a person is coming down with a headache every evening, then it is a cause for worry.
Viral infection affects your appetite adversely. Your taste buds will die out when you are HIV positive. So if loss of appetite lasts more than a month, you need to see a doctor.
As you stop eating well, weight loss is a common symptom that follows. The virus also starts eating up from within. So if you have more than 8-10 kgs of weight loss in less than three months then it is cause of worry.
Spleen problems are often a by-product of AIDS. If you have been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen and have a combination of other symptoms as well, then having a HIV test would be a good idea.
Some people are prone to skin rashes due to sensitive skin. But if you never had a problem with skin sensitivity, and you suddenly start having rashes, then you need to take it seriously.
HIV virus makes the throat very susceptible to cold infections. So if you know someone who always has a sore throat then you need to have him/ her checked for HIV.
The virus inhabits your lymph nodes and starts multiplying there. So you may notice that HIV positive people have swollen and painful lymph nodes.
In women, irregular menstruation is a very common sign of HIV. But it is not a very definite sign unless it comes coupled with other symptoms. There are innumerable causes of having irregular periods that have no connection with AIDS.
Aching muscles and joints could be due to fatigue and stress. But if you have an aching body perpetually along with other symptoms, you need to get yourself checked.
Yeast infections happen to women when they have unsafe sex. It could indicate HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Herpes is a very painful and infectious skin problem. If you get herpes without coming into contact with a person who has it and if it takes more than few weeks to heal, then it is a cause for worry.
Diarrhea is a very common symptom of many different disease. But when a person contracts HIV his/ her digestive power is weakened. So diarrhea can then be seen as a sign of being HIV positive.
A person who is HIV positive has trouble concentrating or even thinking clearly. You notice that a person who usually had clarity of thoughts is all muddled up lately, then HIV could be a plausible explanation.
Sweating even when you are feeling cold is a signs of hormonal imbalance in women. But if you are not menopausal or have no cause to suspect a hormonal imbalance, cold sweats could indicate early stages of AIDS.
HIV literally stands for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. So it is a viral infection that will weaken a person's immunity. If a person keeps falling ill continuously, then having a HIV test might be a good way to investigate his/ her condition.