Early symptoms of HIV manifest immediately after you contract the virus
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Once you contract HIV the initial symptoms, such as rashes on your body as well as fever, diarrhea and other symptoms may not manifest till few weeks or months. This stage is also known as the early symptomatic stage and as a possibility can manifest as late as 6 months after you contract the infection. It is, thus highly recommended that if you have had unprotected sex or have been exposed to the virus in any way, you should immediately get tested.
Which among the following is a common symptom of an HIV infection?
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Another common symptom in the early symptomatic stage of an HIV infection is you may find that your toe or finger nails suddenly change in texture and appearance. Common changes that occur in the nails may include thickening or cracks in nails and discoloration as well as splitting across the surface. This may occur due to fungal infections, such as candida among others. As it is very easy for people with weak immune system to contract fungal infections. Thus if you have these symptoms along with other chronic problems, immediately get yourself tested.
That itchy rash on your skin may be a symptom of an HIV infection instead of being a simple infection
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Rashes on your skin are the first and one of the most obvious signs of an HIV infection. A number of patients have reported the development of rashes, which don't seem to fade away even after topical treatments or through oral medications. These may start on your arms or may move to the torso and back. These rashes will stay until the underlying immune deficiency is corrected. If you are having rashes for a long time, it is advisable that you go to a doctor and get yourself tested for HIV infection.
Which of the following is a lesser known symptom of an HIV infection?
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Some of the well known aspects of an HIV infection are fatigue, skin rashes, aching joints and diarrhea among others, but it has also been known to cause memory loss as well as depression. These problems primarily tend to occur as your immune system is severely compromised and the stress on your health takes a toll on your mind as well. Also, the weak immune system may also result in chemical imbalance, that may further result in memory loss and depression.
You can be HIV Positive and may not show any symptom for decades
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While HIV infection may cause you to have certain symptoms, such as rashes on your skin, nausea and vomiting, it is only displayed during the first few weeks. These symptoms may go away in a month or two and you could easily brush them off as a temporary infection. However, the HIV enters the asymptomatic stage after which no apparent symptoms may be shown outward, but it manifests within the body for years, slowly destabilizing your immune system, which makes it even more important to get tested for HIV as regularly as possible.