The first symptoms of HIV in the early stages. Symptoms of HIV in women in the early and late stages of the disease

AIDS causes one of the most dangerous infections in the world - HIV infection. In most cases, only a special test can show that the body is infected, since the symptoms usually do not appear for a long time. Gradually, the infection develops into AIDS, which makes itself felt by some signs. According to statistics, the disease threatens the death of an infected person in 40–65% in the first year, in 80% within two years, and in almost 100% after another three years. At the same time, scientists managed to determine the stages of the disease: first, HIV infection is in the incubation period, then the first signs appear, followed by secondary diseases and AIDS. Let's talk about its symptoms for women and men in our article.

Features of the manifestation of HIV and AIDS

It often takes a long time from contracting HIV to the transition of infection to AIDS (in some, symptoms appear after a year, while in others after several decades; scientists have not found explanations for such differences so far). The average figure is from 10 to 12 years. Signs of HIV can be seen anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks after infection. The infection usually manifests itself as influenza, SARS or mononucleosis. At the first signs of AIDS, body temperature rises, shivering, muscles ache, lymph nodes increase. HIV infection can occur without symptoms. It also happens that during the entire disease, before it turns into AIDS, the lymph nodes periodically become larger, then decrease, there are no other symptoms (persistent generalized lymphadenopathic form of HIV). When taking a blood test in the first weeks, you can get a negative result for infection (the so-called “window period” by specialists). PCR with an HIV test helps to identify the virus at this stage. As soon as the time has passed for the first symptoms of HIV to appear, they completely disappear (it can take many years before immunodeficiency develops). If left untreated, the disease will develop faster.

The first signs of HIV in women

Two weeks after the virus enters the body, the temperature reaches 38-40 ° C, lasts from two to ten days. Symptoms are similar to SARS or flu: there is a cough, sore throat, head, muscles, all this against the background of general weakness and sweating. Many have superficial lymph nodes growing in the back of the head, behind the neck, under the armpits, and in the groin. Sometimes it can feel sick, vomit, anorexia and spastic pains appear. If the respiratory organs are affected, the cough becomes strong, suffocating. A signal that the nervous system is affected will be a bright headache, plus vomiting with weakness and hardness of the occipital muscles. Diseases of the genitourinary system develop, menstruation becomes painful, a lot of mucus is secreted from the genital tract, it hurts in the pelvic part. The described symptoms may not be related to the virus, however, if they do not go away for a long time, it is worth being tested for AIDS.

The first signs of HIV in men

In many ways, the symptoms are similar to those in women, but there are differences. Within five to ten days after infection, a man may notice a red rash or discolored patches of skin all over his body (petechial, urticarial, and papular rashes). After two weeks, the temperature becomes high, symptoms of influenza, SARS, headache, enlargement of the cervical, inguinal, axillary lymph nodes are distinguishable. Fatigue with drowsiness and apathy are the companions of the infection. Sometimes diarrhea occurs, and the liver and spleen may enlarge.

The first signs of AIDS in women and men

When the symptoms of HIV, which last about three weeks, disappear, the temperature is often elevated for a long time. The “side effect” of immunodeficiency is the duration of any disease. The first manifestations of AIDS are the same for both sexes, the symptoms of diseases of an intimate nature differ mainly. In addition, one of the first signs is the difficulty of healing even small wounds, cuts with their long bleeding and suppuration. AIDS often manifests itself in a pulmonary form (severe pneumocystis pneumonia). The intestines suffer - in addition to diarrhea, dehydration develops, weight is quickly lost. The skin, mucous membranes and tissues of the body are affected - ulcers with erosions are noticeable, which spread the infection and even grow into muscle tissue. Plus, memory becomes worse, the brain does not work actively, epileptic seizures occur. Malignant brain tumors can be found in the brain, meningitis or encephalitis can be diagnosed. The fatal outcome basically comes in half a year-two years (sometimes three). It is not so easy to quickly determine AIDS, because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, so be careful, monitor your well-being, periodically undergo an examination in a special center.

The first symptoms of HIV: how to determine the infection with the virus

The human immunodeficiency virus belongs to the group of retroviruses that provokes the development of HIV infection. This disease can proceed in several stages, each of which differs in the clinical picture, the intensity of manifestations.

HIV stages

Stages of development of HIV infection:

• incubation period;
• primary manifestations - acute infection, asymptomatic and generalized lymphadenopathy;
• secondary manifestations - lesions of internal organs of a persistent nature, lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, diseases of a generalized type;
• terminal stage.

According to statistics, HIV infection is most often diagnosed at the stage of secondary manifestations and this is due to the fact that the symptoms of HIV become pronounced and begin to disturb the patient during this period of the course of the disease.

At the first stage of the development of HIV infection, certain symptoms may also be present, but they, as a rule, proceed in a mild form, the clinical picture is blurred, and the patients themselves do not turn to doctors for such “little things”. But there is one more nuance - even if the patient seeks qualified medical help at the first stage of the course of HIV infection, specialists may not diagnose the pathology. Moreover - at this stage of the development of the disease in question, the symptoms will be the same in men and women - this is often confusing for physicians. And only at the secondary stage is it quite realistic to hear the diagnosis of HIV infection, and the symptoms will be individual for male and female.

How long does it take for HIV to show up?

The first signs of HIV infection go unnoticed, but they are there. And appear on average in the period from 3 weeks to 3 months after infection. A longer period is also possible.

Signs of secondary manifestations of the disease in question can also appear only many years after infection with HIV infection, but manifestations can also occur as early as 4-6 months from the moment of infection.

Incubation period

After a person has contracted HIV infection, no symptoms or even small hints of the development of any pathology are observed for a long time. Just this period is called the incubation period, it can last, in accordance with the classification of V.I. Pokrovsky, from 3 weeks to 3 months.

No examinations and laboratory tests of biomaterials (serological, immunological, hematological tests) will help to identify HIV infection, and the infected person himself does not look sick at all. But it is the incubation period, without any manifestations, that is of particular danger - a person serves as a source of infection.

Some time after infection, the patient enters the acute phase of the disease - the clinical picture during this period may be the reason for the diagnosis of HIV infection "in question".

Acute infection

The first manifestations of HIV infection in the acute phase of the course strongly resemble the symptoms of mononucleosis. They appear on average in the period from 3 weeks to 3 months from the moment of infection. These include:

• inflammation of the palatine tonsils - patients complain of frequently recurring tonsillitis;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes - more often this process affects the cervical lymph nodes, but the examination does not reveal any obvious pathology;
• an increase in body temperature to subfebrile indicators - the cause of such hyperthermia cannot be established, but the indicators do not normalize even after the use of drugs with an antipyretic effect;
• profuse sweating, general weakness and insomnia at night - these symptoms are often "written off" to chronic fatigue;
• headaches, loss of appetite, apathy towards the environment.

When examining a patient, a doctor can determine a slight increase in the size of the spleen and liver - the patient, by the way, may also complain of recurrent pain in the right hypochondrium. The patient's skin may be covered with a small rash - pale pink spots that do not have clear boundaries. Often there are complaints from infected people about a long-term violation of the stool - they are tormented by diarrhea, which is not removed even by specific medications and a change in diet.

Please note: with such a course of the acute phase of HIV infection, lymphocytes / leukocytes in an increased number and atypical mononuclear cells will be detected in the blood.

The above signs of the acute phase of the disease in question can be observed in 30% of patients. Another 30-40% of patients live an acute phase in the development of serous meningitis or encephalitis - the symptoms will be radically different from those already described: nausea, vomiting, fever to critical levels, severe headache.

Often the first symptom of HIV infection is esophagitis - an inflammatory process in the esophagus, which is characterized by swallowing disorders and chest pain.

In whatever form the acute phase of HIV infection proceeds, after 30-60 days all the symptoms disappear - often the patient thinks that he has completely recovered, especially if this period of the pathology was almost asymptomatic or their intensity was low (and this can also be ).

Asymptomatic stage

During the course of this stage of the disease in question, there are no symptoms - the patient feels great, does not consider it necessary to appear in a medical facility for a preventive examination. But it is at the stage of an asymptomatic course that antibodies to HIV can be detected in the blood! This makes it possible to diagnose pathology at one of the early stages of development and begin adequate, effective treatment.

The asymptomatic stage of HIV infection can last several years, but only if the patient's immune system has not undergone significant damage. The statistics are rather contradictory - only in 30% of patients within 5 years after the asymptomatic course of HIV infection, symptoms of the following stages begin to appear, but in some infected asymptomatic stages the course proceeds rapidly, lasting no more than 30 days.

Generalized lymphadenopathy

This stage is characterized by an increase in almost all groups of lymph nodes, this process does not affect only the inguinal lymph nodes. It is noteworthy that it is generalized lymphadenopathy that can become the main symptom of HIV infection, if all previous stages of the development of the disease in question proceeded without any manifestations.

Lymph nodes increase by 1-5 cm, remain mobile and painless, and the surface of the skin above them has absolutely no signs of a pathological process. But with such a pronounced symptom as an increase in groups of lymph nodes, the standard causes of this phenomenon are excluded. And here, too, there is a danger - some doctors classify lymphadenopathy as difficult to explain.

The stage of generalized lymphadenopathy lasts 3 months, about 2 months after the onset of the stage, the patient begins to lose weight.

Secondary manifestations

It often happens that it is the secondary manifestations of HIV infection that serve as the basis for a qualitative diagnosis. Secondary manifestations include:

Pneumocystis pneumonia

The patient notes a sudden increase in body temperature, he develops a dry, obsessive cough, which eventually turns into a wet one. The patient develops intense shortness of breath with minimal exertion, and the general condition of the patient is rapidly deteriorating. Therapy carried out with the use of antibacterial drugs (antibiotics) does not give a positive effect.

Generalized infection

These include herpes, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, candidiasis. Most often, these infections affect women and, against the background of the human immunodeficiency virus, they are extremely difficult.

Kaposi's sarcoma

This is a neoplasm / tumor that develops from the lymphatic vessels. It is more often diagnosed in men, has the appearance of multiple tumors of a characteristic cherry color, located on the head, trunk and in the oral cavity.

Damage to the central nervous system

At first, this is manifested only by minor problems with memory, a decrease in concentration. But in the course of the development of pathology, the patient develops dementia.

Features of the first signs of HIV infection in women

If infection with the human immunodeficiency virus has occurred in a woman, then secondary symptoms will most likely manifest themselves in the form of development, progression of generalized infections - herpes, candidiasis, cytomegalovirus infection, tuberculosis.

Often, secondary manifestations of HIV infection begin with a banal menstrual cycle disorder, inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, for example, salpingitis, can develop. Often diagnosed and cancer of the cervix - carcinoma or dysplasia.

Features of HIV infection in children

Children who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy (intrauterine from the mother) have some features in the course of the disease. First, the disease begins its development at 4-6 months of age. Secondly, the earliest and main symptom of HIV infection during intrauterine infection is considered to be a disorder of the central nervous system - the baby lags behind his peers in physical and mental development. Thirdly, children with human immunodeficiency virus are prone to the progression of digestive system disorders and the appearance of purulent diseases.

The human immunodeficiency virus is still an unexplored disease to the end - too many questions arise both in diagnosis and in treatment. But doctors say that only the patients themselves can detect HIV infection at an early stage - it is they who should carefully monitor their health and periodically undergo preventive examinations. Even if the symptoms of HIV infection are hidden, the disease develops - only a timely test analysis will help save the patient's life for several years.

Answers to popular questions about HIV

Due to the large number of requests from our readers, we decided to group the most common questions and answers to them in one section.

When do the first symptoms of HIV infection appear? »

Signs of HIV infection appear approximately 3 weeks to 3 months after the hazardous exposure. Fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the first days after infection may indicate any pathology, except for the human immunodeficiency virus. During this period (doctors call it the incubation period), not only are there no symptoms of HIV, but deep laboratory blood tests will not give a positive result.

Can HIV be asymptomatic? »

Yes, unfortunately, this is rare, but it happens (in about 30% of cases): a person does not notice any characteristic symptoms during the acute phase, and then the disease passes into a latent phase (this is, in fact, an asymptomatic course for about 8-10 years ).

Will the result of an analysis taken immediately after a possible infection be reliable? »

Most modern screening tests are based on enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - this is the "gold standard" of diagnosis, while an accurate result can be expected no earlier than 3 to 6 months after infection. Therefore, the analysis must be taken twice: 3 months after a possible infection and then another 3 months later.

If the body temperature has risen and the lymph nodes have increased, is this HIV? »

It is impossible to answer this question categorically. First, you need to take into account the period that has passed since a potentially dangerous contact - if less than 3 weeks have passed, then these symptoms may also indicate a common cold.

Secondly, if more than 3 weeks have already passed after a possible infection, then you should not make yourself nervous - just wait and undergo a specific examination 3 months after the dangerous contact.

Thirdly, fever and swollen lymph nodes are not "classic" signs of HIV infection! Often, the first manifestations of the disease are expressed by pain in the chest and a burning sensation in the esophagus, a violation of the stool (a person is worried about frequent diarrhea), a pale pink rash on the skin.

Can you get infected through oral sex? »

The risk of contracting HIV infection through oral sex is minimized. The fact is that the virus does not survive in the environment, therefore, for it to be transmitted orally, two conditions must come together: there are wounds / abrasions on the partner's penis and wounds / abrasions in the partner's oral cavity. But even these circumstances do not in every case lead to infection with HIV infection. For your own peace of mind, you need to pass a specific HIV test 3 months after a dangerous contact and undergo a “control” examination after another 3 months.

What to do if you had unprotected intercourse? »

There are a number of drugs that are used for post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV. Unfortunately, they are not available for free sale, so you will have to go to an appointment with a therapist and explain the situation. There is no guarantee that such measures will 100% prevent the development of HIV infection, but experts say that taking such drugs is quite advisable - the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus is reduced by 70-75%.

If there is no opportunity (or courage) to see a doctor with a similar problem, then there is only one thing left - to wait. It will be necessary to wait 3 months, then undergo an HIV test, and even if the result is negative, it is worth taking a control test after another 3 months.

Is it possible to get infected with HIV through everyday life? »

No! The human immunodeficiency virus does not survive in the environment, therefore, with people who are classified as HIV-positive, you can without hesitation use common dishes, bed linen, visit the pool and bathhouse.

If I slept (sleeped) with an HIV-infected person, will I definitely get infected? »

There are risks of infection, but they are quite small. So, with a single vaginal intercourse without a condom, the risk is 0.01 - 0.15%. With oral sex, the risks are from 0.005 to 0.01%, with anal sex - from 0.065 to 0.5%. Such statistics are provided in the clinical protocols for the WHO European Region of HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care.

In medicine, cases are described when married couples, where one of the spouses was HIV-positive, lived sexually without using condoms for several years, and the second spouse remained healthy.

Is it possible to get HIV in the process of mutual masturbation? »

The risks are almost zero (if there are no open wounds on the hands and genitals of the partners).

Is it possible to become infected through contact with dried blood or semen? »

When biological fluids dry out, the immunodeficiency virus contained in them dies.

Can you get HIV through protected sex? »

If a condom was used during sexual intercourse, it was used according to the instructions and remained intact, then the risk of becoming infected with HIV is minimized. If, after 3 or more months after a dubious contact, symptoms resembling an HIV infection appear, then you just need to contact a therapist. An increase in temperature, an increase in lymph nodes may indicate the development of SARS and other diseases. For your own peace of mind, you should take an HIV test.

If the HIV test result is negative, am I not sick? »

To answer this question, you need to know at what time and how many times a similar analysis was given:

• a negative result in the first 3 months after a dangerous contact cannot be accurate, doctors talk about a false negative result;
• negative response of the HIV test after 3 months from the moment of dangerous contact - most likely the subject is not infected, but it is necessary to do another test 3 months after the first one for control;
• negative response of the HIV test 6 months or more after the dangerous contact - the subject is not infected.

Can I get infected if I step on a needle in the street and get hurt? »

The risks in this case are extremely small - the virus quickly dies in the environment, therefore, even if the blood of an infected person remains on the needle, it is almost impossible to become infected with HIV by injuring yourself with such a needle. Dried biological fluid (blood) cannot contain the virus. However, after 3 months, and then again - after another 3 months - it is still worth taking an HIV test.

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category.

Materials used: http://okeydoc.ru/pervye-simptomy-vich/ Save in social networks:

Before methodically starting to list the signs of HIV - infection that women may experience, you need to get acquainted with the state of the problem of HIV and AIDS in our country. You will not hear the information below from state television channels. They prefer to keep silent about it in schools, but you need to know: we live in a state of an HIV epidemic. Of course, the ways of its transmission are not as simple as those of the plague or cholera, and therefore the “plague of the 20th century,” as it was called in the last millennium, is moving slowly but surely across our country:

• In 2016, the virus stopped circulating among the reservoirs (drug addicts, homosexuals), and "broke into the operational space." Now HIV can be contracted from an ordinary person who does not belong to risk groups. This means that HIV has entered the general population and the incidence is steadily increasing;
• Last year, in 2016, more than 30 thousand people died from HIV, and 1 million 114 thousand registered cases;
• Treatment was carried out in only 32% of patients, which does not prevent the spread of infection (due to lower health care costs);
• In 2016, more than 100,000 people were infected (this is 5.3% more than in 2015);
• The disease “heaps” affects cities and economically developed centers;
• The prevalence of HIV infection as of December 31, 2016 is 594.3 cases per 100 thousand of the country's population. This means that more than 0.5% of all living people (including the elderly and infants) have HIV. In other words, every two hundredth person passing by is HIV-infected;

The infection is detected for the first time most often at the age of 30-40 years (46% of cases). The given data cannot but cause alarm, and require urgent intervention of both the state and private non-profit foundations. Here we did not mention cases of HIV infection in places of detention, a sharp increase in mixed infections: HIV + tuberculosis and chronic viral hepatitis.

Now you know how things are with this disease in our country. What is this infection, and what causes it?

What is HIV and why is it dangerous?

What is the danger of the virus?

HIV is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. And AIDS is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

These are different concepts: AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection, in which the body's defenses are so depressed that infections that do not affect healthy people lead to death. These are pneumocystis pneumonia, generalized candidiasis, pustular diseases, recurrent herpes, and other diseases.

At its core, HIV is a viral chronic disease that slowly progresses, attacks the human immune system, and makes it susceptible to the most minor infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, diseases that are caused by protozoa.

In addition, with HIV infection, a variety of malignant tumors can occur in a person, since the role of immunity is to detect and destroy such cells in a timely manner. In the end, HIV turns into AIDS and the sick person dies.

The virus itself contains RNA as hereditary material, and belongs to the pathogens of slow infections (lentiviruses).

How is HIV transmitted?

The virus is transmitted not only sexually!

First of all, you need to explain how you cannot get infected with HIV, since there is a lot of speculation on this topic. You cannot become infected by living together with an HIV-infected person if:

• You eat and drink using shared utensils;
• Use the same toilet, shower and shampoo;
• You are bitten by the same mosquitoes (this has been proven many times in Africa, where there are many HIV and mosquitoes);
• With "polite" kisses, if the partners do not exchange saliva. But this is best avoided, as the presence of wounds in the oral cavity of partners can increase the risk of developing the disease.

The source of infection is a sick person, and his physiological fluids: blood, semen, saliva, vaginal secretions, menstrual flow and breast milk. The virus is also isolated from tears, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, feces and urine. But the most dangerous are blood, vaginal secretions and semen.

Women with unprotected sexual intercourse are infected more often than men. In addition to the sexual route, there is also a parenteral route - through non-sterile needles, instruments, blood transfusion. Less commonly, the vertical path is realized - when the fetus is infected before childbirth (with transplacental transmission of the virus). Most often, infection occurs during childbirth, as well as during breastfeeding.

The incidence rate remains high in profile risk groups. Thus, more than 48% of those who fell ill in 2016 are drug addicts who do not use disposable syringes.

Of particular concern is the fact that non-gay and non-homosexual contacts currently lead to infection (1.5% of cases), but ordinary contacts between a man and a woman (48.7% of cases). This makes almost any unprotected sex highly risky.

Children who became infected from sick mothers are another 0.8% of those infected in 2016 in our country.

Visiting medical organizations of all forms of ownership has also become unsafe: in 2016, 16 cases of infection were detected, and all of them arose in connection with the use of either non-sterile reusable instruments, as well as during the transfusion of blood and its components.

HIV stages and characteristics

Early diagnosis is very important!

The first signs of HIV in women do not necessarily coincide with the time of infection. As usual, there is an incubation (hidden) period for an infectious disease, which can be either 2-4 weeks or six months. According to some reports, this period can last up to 3-5 years. Sometimes, after determining the infection, a woman cannot remember what exactly and when happened to her, and what caused the infection.

Then the stage of primary manifestations of the infection begins, which can be asymptomatic (more precisely, with minimal and non-specific complaints that do not give a reason to see a doctor). In addition to the asymptomatic variant, there are two types of primary manifestations that occur with a bright clinic:

• phase of acute fever;
• PGL, or persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

The signs of primary manifestations will be discussed below.

Secondary diseases

The next stage of HIV in women, after the primary manifestations, is called the stage of secondary diseases. On average, if nothing is done and treated, then it occurs in 3-7 years. Of course, the classification is more complex, contains subsections and subparagraphs, but if we simplify it for understanding, then as a result, some diseases appear in a woman. They are not AIDS-indicative, but their appearance makes it necessary to undergo an HIV test. These diagnoses include:

• Persistent inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (salpingitis, colpitis, endometritis), which are often complicated by abscesses (accumulations of pus);
• The occurrence of shingles in several places, or with its recurrent nature;
• The occurrence of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (a drop in the level of blood platelets with the development of hemorrhages);
• The appearance of a prolonged incomprehensible fever with a temperature above 38 - 38.5 degrees, or prolonged diarrhea (a month or more);
• The appearance of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, which is poorly treated and constantly returns (relapses).

In addition, the appearance of hairy leukoplakia of the oral cavity, candidiasis of the mouth and pharynx, cervical dysplasia and the occurrence of peripheral polyneuropathy, listeriosis infection - all this indicates a possible manifestation of HIV infection years after infection.

Expanded AIDS

Finally, the ongoing decline in immunity leads to the appearance of infections caused by conditionally pathogenic flora, which is not terrible for healthy people. Also tumors. If, at the stage of AIDS, an HIV-infected person becomes ill with a common infection (dysentery, chicken pox), then the very course of the disease can be extremely difficult.

Toxoplasmosis of the brain joins, severe amoebic dysentery occurs. There is candidiasis of the esophagus and bronchi. Fungi cause meningitis and encephalitis, pneumonia. Herpes viruses are sharply activated, cytomegalovirus infection joins, with generalized damage to the intestines and eyes.

Tumors progress: Kaposi's sarcoma, brain lymphoma, invasive cervical cancer occur. Cachexia develops with a pronounced decrease in body weight, encephalopathy progresses, and the patient dies.

You cannot die from HIV - it simply destroys the immune system, and people die from any infection - most often from generalized tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, or from severe pneumonia.

The first symptoms: what to look for?

How is HIV manifested in women in the stage of primary manifestations? One hundred percent agreement with the proposed diagnosis gives only the presence of PGL, or persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

In the case of PGL, a woman has enlarged lymph nodes: they become more than one centimeter in diameter, located in two (or more) different areas outside the groin (for example, in the left axillary region, on the right side of the neck and on the left in the suboccipital region). They remain this way for at least three months against the background of normal health and the absence of any provoking infections (syphilis, mononucleosis).

As for the acute febrile phase, all its manifestations are non-specific, and may correspond to a number of other infections. Most often worried:

• fever;
• weakness;
• muscle pain (myalgia), arthralgia (joint pain);
• sore throat, tonsillitis;
• in rare cases, HIV causes a skin rash;
• there are symptoms of damage to the nervous system - from headaches to signs of acute encephalopathy.

It must be remembered that the acute phase does not develop in all patients. In a number of cases, it does not manifest itself in any way, and therefore the timely diagnosis of HIV infection, which in our time (taking into account the epidemiological situation) should be carried out in a planned manner, without waiting for a deterioration in well-being, is of utmost importance.

Diagnosis and testing for HIV infection

The key indicators that allow you to make a diagnosis and stage of HIV infection are:

• The level of viral load, or the rate of reproduction of the HIV virus in the blood. The higher the load, the worse the prognosis.

For example, in patients who became infected 12 years ago and have a load of less than 1 thousand copies of the virus in 1 ml, there is practically no AIDS. And in patients with a load of more than 100 thousand copies, AIDS symptoms were already encountered in 80% of cases.

• The number of CD 4, or T - helpers (one of the types of T - lymphocytes, the main "target" of the virus. So, if the number of CD 4 is more than 500 in 1 μl, an initial asymptomatic course is possible, when they fall below 200, symptoms of AIDS - indicator diseases already begin .

The easiest way to diagnose is an express method for determining antibodies and antigens of the virus in a blood test. In the event that a positive conclusion is given, then two more analyzes are carried out with the same blood serum (which is stored until the result is obtained). If they are positive, then an immunoblotting reaction is performed, which allows you to determine specific antibodies to specific viral proteins. These are the viral envelope glycoproteins gp41, gp120 and gp160.

If two or three results are positive, then this is a confirmation of the diagnosis of HIV. Immune blotting is carried out in a special institution - the center for the prevention and control of AIDS.

As for the level of viral load, this is nothing more than PCR - a quantitative diagnostic option. The manifestation of HIV symptoms in a woman directly depends on her level.

HIV is not a sentence!

Of particular concern and concern is pregnancy and the birth of a child by a woman with HIV infection. How to proceed? At what viral load can you get pregnant, and at what can you give birth?

If nothing is done, then the chances that the child will be sick are very high: 40 - 50%. And in the case of contacting the AIDS center (as these institutions are commonly called), the risk is reduced to 1 - 2%.

The main task is to determine the viral load, and begin to reduce it, by prescribing ART, or specific antiretroviral therapy. A woman receives several drugs during pregnancy, in order to exclude perinatal (intrapartum infection), she is given a caesarean section (with a load of 1000 copies or more), or directly, during childbirth, antiviral drugs are “dripped”. Also, in the first hours after birth, the child is given antiviral drugs.

• All these measures taken together make it possible for an HIV-infected woman to give birth to a healthy child. The most important thing is a complete ban on breastfeeding, so as not to infect the baby again.

Do not worry that the baby will be born HIV + (seropositive) for antibodies. It's just that the mother gives him her antibodies, and by the age of 1.5 years, these antibodies disappear from his body as unnecessary. It finally becomes known that the baby is healthy only after 1.5 - 2 years and a series of PCR for HIV.

In fairness, it must be said that with the timely detection of infection, proper and regular communication with the infectious disease specialist of the Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, with the correct prescription of antiretroviral therapy and the active involvement of a partner at the stage of pregnancy planning (if he is also sick with HIV), you can reduce the risk of infection child up to 1% or less.

In conclusion, it must be said that with the appointment of modern drugs, it has become possible to maintain the quality of life in HIV-infected patients for many years and even decades. In the US and Western Europe, HIV is not a death sentence. And in Russia, HIV is an epidemic that is accompanied by hundreds of reports from all regions about interruptions in the supply of necessary drugs, which are already cheap generics. In the regions, sometimes there are no medicines for months, and when asked when they will be available, doctors shrug their shoulders. Therefore, the best remedy in this situation is not to get infected.

Early symptoms of HIV infection and acute retroviral syndrome in periods after possible contact with the pathogen are usually not determined by either the doctor or the patient. This is not surprising since they are very similar to the symptoms of a common illness caused by an infection (tonsillitis, flu, chest infection, etc.).

If you think there is a strong possibility that you may have contracted HIV, then the only way to check is to get tested. Getting tested for HIV is much easier today than it used to be. How to identify if there is a problem? Pay attention to the following signs, features of the disease.

Early symptoms of HIV:

• high fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• chest infection, cough
• mouth ulcers
• Diarrhea
• Vomit
• Swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits and groin)
• Pain in joints and muscles

When do symptoms appear? The main ones usually become noticeable in the first 2-4 weeks after infection, but the manifestations of early cases of HIV infection are not always observed, only in 70% of cases. Manifestations develop in the period 2-12 weeks after exposure. The test may be positive if you have had sex with an HIV-infected person.

It is much more likely that the above early symptoms are not signs of HIV, but are related to something else. Anxiety is a strong condition and sometimes the patient is sure that he has a manifestation of something dangerous, which is actually not the case.

The main symptoms of the early stage of HIV

3 main signs that occur at an early stage of HIV infection almost always. For others it is less likely.

• Very high temperature
• Severe sore throat
• Maculopapular rash all over body

Symptoms of acute early HIV

These are all very general and may be signs of other conditions or infections.

• Muscle pain
• Constant headache
• Ulcers and sores in the mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and diarrhea

One thing to remember, other STDs spread much more efficiently than HIV. If they are present, it increases the likelihood of being infected by the latter. The risk is reduced by condom use.

Measures to prevent HIV infection

Just don't put yourself at risk by getting into a position where you have to worry about signs of illness. Use condoms for penetrative sex, whether anal or vaginal.

If you don't use condoms, check out prevention publications. In particular, it is recommended to take a monthly course of anti-HIV drugs. It is best to pass it as soon as possible after a dangerous episode.

HIV symptoms in women

Signs of the human immunodeficiency virus in women have their own characteristics. Lipodystrophy and fatty changes are more common in them than in men. The fairer sex experience breast enlargement and abdominal fat redistribution. In men, more often adipose tissue forms a “buffalo hump”. Women are more prone to poorly controlled headaches, experience extreme fatigue that can be attributed to illness and stress (for example, due to childcare). Their problems with the abdominal cavity and small pelvis are often perceived as "normal" complaints of healthy women. Gynecological symptoms occur earlier, which often becomes a marker of the progress of the infection.

Fatigue, pain and abdominal problems are much more severe in areas where there is no access to medicines and where HIV infection is transmitted earlier and progresses faster.

Classification of symptoms

Symptoms are classified as either physical or psychological; However, they often overlap. For example, depression in HIV infection is a psychological symptom. However, experts suggest that brain chemistry and neurotransmitters are linked to depression. Therefore, the condition can be considered both a psychological and a physical sign. This also applies to anxiety, sleep disorders, etc.

The psychological symptoms of HIV positive women (some of which overlap with physical symptoms) include anxiety, depression, insomnia/sleep disturbances, and body changes. Physical: diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, cough, fever, pain, neuropathy, weight loss, lipodystrophy or changes in body fat, rash or other skin problems, and gynecological disorders.

List of symptoms in women with HIV

• anorexia
• anxiety
• cough
• dementia type symptoms
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• fever
• forgetfulness
• lipodystrophy / changes in body fat
• nausea
• neuropathy
• night sweats
• oral symptoms
• sexual dysfunction
• dyspnea
• skin diseases
• sleep disorders
• limb edema
• vaginal symptoms
• vomit
• weight loss

HIV symptoms in men

Two thirds of all new HIV infections occur among men. Risk of infection: Gay, bisexual, same-sex men make up the largest group of HIV-positive people.

In addition to bearing a heavy burden of HIV, men also don't go to the doctor and try to get a diagnosis until the disease has advanced. This happens for the following reasons: the initial symptoms of the disease in men are often vague or tolerable ("I think it's a regular flu"), and even if they are noticeable, the denial of the seriousness of the problem is inherent in the representatives of the strong half of humanity. The result is a great loss to health, since quick help, timely treatment is not provided.

Early signs of infection appear after 2-6 weeks from its moment, and in different ways:

• fever
• swollen lymph nodes
• sore throat
• skin rash
• muscle pain
• joint pain
• fatigue
• nausea, vomiting
• night sweats

Methods for diagnosing HIV tests

The general pattern of symptoms is not a clear indicator of acute HIV infection, which is dangerous because during this stage a person can pass the virus on to their partner(s) without even knowing it. This is the reason for its rapid mass distribution. Men who are sexually active are advised to have their blood tested for HIV at least once in their lives and are more likely to be at higher risk (drug users who have sex with men). This is the only way to find out if you have a disease (+ home test).

After the acute phase of the course of HIV infection, there is a long period without symptoms, when the infected person feels "normal" and is unaware of his infection. Meanwhile, the virus does not doze off and harms the body's immune system. Eventually, his defenses become so weakened that AIDS develops. Answer the questions: Do you use condoms? Are you at risk by sharing needles while using intravenous drugs? If yes, then the likelihood of contracting HIV is high. If you are tested and get a positive result, it means that you have HIV, which causes AIDS.

Statistics on HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Human immunodeficiency virus infection has now spread to all countries of the world. Statistics show that 40 million people live with it and 35 million have died from this disease since the epidemic began. It has been particularly devastating in sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa, but HIV deaths are also high elsewhere.

Key facts about the disease, ways of infection:

How can you get infected? The virus is transmitted sexually, through blood transfusion, to the child from the mother. Worldwide, 85% of HIV transmission occurs through heterosexual intercourse.

Sex between men accounts for more than half of new diagnoses. Intravenous drug use contributes in other cases. Because it can take years to be diagnosed after infection, it is likely that a high proportion of recent infections are due to heterosexual transmission.

The number of infections in women is on the rise. Almost half of patients worldwide are women (according to statistics, 20% of new diagnoses and their proportion is growing).

The good news is that the number of new HIV infections in children has plummeted. This is largely a result of the testing and treatment of infected mothers and the establishment of uniform principles for testing blood products.

In order to identify HIV and AIDS, it is important to understand the meaning of the terms:

1. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The pathogen is one of a group of viruses known as retroviruses that kills or damages cells in the immune system. The body tries to keep up by producing new cells and containing the virus, but eventually HIV wins and gradually destroys the body's ability to fight infections and some cancers.
2. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by HIV. This happens when the latter destroys the body's defenses so much that the number of immune cells drops to a critical level or life-threatening infections, cancer develop.
3. The structure of the virus has been studied, which has helped scientists develop new treatments for it. Although all HIV are similar, there are slight variations, mutations in their genetic material, which lead to drug resistance. In different subtypes of the virus, there are numerous variations of its genes. Currently, the HIV-1 subtype that causes HIV/AIDS is predominant.

Frequently asked Questions

• Can I get HIV from kissing?

• Can I get HIV through oral sex (dick sucking)?
• Very unlikely. There are few cases reported worldwide, but research suggests that the risk is minimal to zero.

• Can I get HIV from vaginal licking?
• This is also very unlikely. If a woman is bleeding, then the risk is increased, but otherwise it is minimal.

• Can I get HIV from touching dried or cold semen?
• No - HIV is a fragile virus and requires ideal conditions for it to spread. Dried and cooled sperm is not a threat of infection.

HIV - human immunodeficiency virus has long been considered a dangerous disease.

The patient can live with it for a long time. Going through different stages of the course of the virus, the most recent is considered acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS). HIV affects the human immune system.

The immune system helps protect the body from infections and pathogens.

During this, antibodies are produced. They fight foreign bacteria or virus pathogens.

The human immunodeficiency virus often manifests itself in women.

Causes of HIV in women

Representatives of the weaker sex are more prone to diseases. Their immunity is weaker. Women may not always suspect that they have HIV. Until the virus is detected, a woman can infect other people.

It is necessary to regularly undergo a preventive medical examination several times a year.

To identify the virus in yourself, you should know what causes and provoking factors of the disease can affect its further development.

There are the following factors due to which a woman can become infected with HIV:

• Non-sterile medical equipment;
• Sexual contact with a carrier of the infection;
• During pregnancy, it is transmitted to the child;
• Vaginal and anal contacts;

Immunodeficiency infection begins its development in a woman's body after infection with a virus. Infection occurs with the "help" of blood or after sexual contact with an HIV carrier.

The cause of infection may be non-sterile medical equipment, "thanks" to which, pathogens enter the bloodstream of a healthy woman.

The virus can also enter the intestinal mucosa, oral cavity (rarely), and often through the genitals. A high risk of infection occurs if there are ulcers, cracks or small wounds on such tissues.

If a woman is pregnant and infected with the immunodeficiency virus, then it will be transmitted to the unborn child. This can happen in utero, at birth, and during the breastfeeding process.

It is impossible to get HIV in everyday life. The virus lives outside the human body for only a couple of minutes. He then dies, but can show survivability in a used syringe. In medical equipment, it can persist for several days.

The main and only carriers of HIV infection are:

• blood;
• semen;
• female vaginal discharge;
• breast milk.

Provoking factors leading to the development of the disease

HIV infection in women can last for many years. Every year the immune system weakens. Against this background, serious diseases or their initial signs occur. The disease can occur in different stages and has different strains of HIV infection.

The manifestation of symptoms of the virus occurs according to the degree of its development in the body of a woman. The period of incubation of the virus proceeds in different ways. It can be a couple of weeks or last for several months. If the virus proceeds in the classical phase, then after the incubation period, the stage of acute primary infection occurs.

Symptoms of the immunodeficiency virus in women

External manifestations of HIV on the female body

Herpes on the lips with HIV

Another example of herpes in HIV

Oral cavity in HIV infection

HIV symptoms are more common in women than in others. This happens because of the characteristics of the body. AIDS in women is easier to determine than the immunodeficiency virus.

In the advanced stage of the disease, the woman's body undergoes changes (see photo above). With reduced immunity, she can get sick with diseases that she will no longer be able to overcome on her own or with the help of medicines.

The first signs of HIV in women can occur several weeks after infection. Otherwise, the disease will not manifest its existence in the body. It depends on the individual protective functions of the woman's body. The first sign of HIV in the fairer sex does not appear.

The virus is able to proceed in different forms. It depends on the state of immunity of the patient. Symptoms of the immunodeficiency virus appear depending on the stages of the disease.

Stages of HIV infection and symptoms

During the initial stage of the immunodeficiency virus, there is an incubation period. The first symptoms in women during this period are absent.

Passing the test for antibodies to the disease does not give results.

Next comes the second stage of the infection. It is at this stage that the first signs and symptoms of HIV appear. This happens in three ways.

During the first variant, the symptoms may be absent. When the patient is diagnosed, they detect the production of antibodies.

The second option proceeds as an acute disease. At this stage, the following symptoms may be observed:

• Body temperature rises to 39, which can be perceived as a disease. It cannot be knocked down and lasts for a week or more.
• Inflammation of the lungs, which is accompanied by a cough. Cases of this symptom are rare.
• Exacerbation of thrush.
• Exacerbation of the herpes virus.
• Constant fatigue and bad mood.
• Diarrhea.
• Enlarged lymph nodes, and.
• Ulcers in the mouth or sore throat.

Another variant of the course of the 2nd stage of HIV can be with a secondary manifestation. The observation of symptoms occurs by several signs.

A woman may be afraid of the light, and a rash may form on the skin and her health may worsen. When the first sign of HIV is detected in the fairer sex, it is able to disappear on its own in a few weeks. Then the state of health can stabilize.

The second stage of HIV can last from 3 weeks to a couple of months. After, the disease passes into the following stages. The third stage of HIV infection can take a long time. This period is from 2 to 20 years. During this, there are no obvious symptoms and signs.

At this time, the number of lymphocytes in the body decreases. Together with them, there is an increase in several lymph nodes at the same time. They are able to decrease in size during this period of time and vice versa.

The fourth stage of the disease can manifest itself in 3 variants. The main signs at this stage are considered to be a decrease in the number of different groups of lymphocytes. The virus progresses in development due to the depletion of immunity. Immune cells are damaged, and tumors begin to appear.

The first variant during this stage develops over 10 years. They go on for a long time without treatment. Treatment requires many drugs. During this, the following symptoms may occur:

• A woman loses weight due to impaired metabolism during the development of the disease.
• There are formations on the skin or mucous membranes are affected.
• and , which occur 3 or more times a year.

In the second variant, the manifestation of the virus can take a long time. They can periodically turn into relapses. This variant of the course of HIV can manifest itself in the following symptoms:

• Weakness due to weight loss.
• Increase in body temperature up to 39.
• Diarrhea becomes chronic.
• Filamentous formations appear on the oral mucosa, which can grow.
• Severe bacterial or viral infections.
• The appearance of a malignant tumor of the skin.
• Skin may also develop.

In the latter variant, at the 4th stage of the disease, the disease can proceed in a severe form. The symptoms are especially severe and difficult to treat. The following signs of HIV are found in women in this variant of the course of stage 4:

• The woman becomes exhausted.
• Pneumocystis, which occurs due to a fungus.
• Herpes, which is able to periodically turn into a relapse.
• Tuberculosis can affect the intestines, brain, and bones.
• Malignant tumors on the skin become pronounced.
• Cryptococcal.
• Violation of the central nervous system.
• Damage to the heart and kidneys occurs.
• Oncological diseases occur.

The last stage of HIV infection is called terminal. It develops due to deterioration. The virus enters this stage due to the fact that the symptoms of HIV in women in the early stages could not be completely cured. During this period, the patient may die in a few months.

Infected women do not always go through all stages of the virus. This happens depending on the individual state of immunity.

The virus can stop at one of the stages or go through it and begin to progress to another.

It is at stage 5 of the disease that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs.

Throughout the stages of HIV infection, women experience painful periods. The menstrual cycle is disrupted. Cancer of the cervix may occur.

Diseases of the genitourinary system in the fairer sex occur in acute forms.

Diagnostics

In order to detect the immunodeficiency virus, and to correctly establish the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations. If some symptoms are absent, then this is considered a more dangerous sign.

The specialist will refer the patient to several types of tests to detect antibodies. Tests, like the symptoms of HIV in women in the early stages, do not always help detect the virus.

If the virus was detected during subsequent diagnostics, then the woman must be registered. This is done to monitor the health of the patient.

During this, she should be tested every six months. The doctor monitors the state of immunity. In some cases, antiretroviral drugs may be prescribed.

Treatment

Treatment of the immunodeficiency virus helps to slow down the course of the disease. Therapy is carried out according to the following types:

• Etiotropic treatment - affects the pathogen, which reduces the effect on the body.
• Pathogenic treatment - slows down changes due to the influence of the virus.
• Symptomatic treatment - eliminates signs of secondary diseases.

In many cases, all three methods of treating the virus are used. It helps to slow down AIDS in women and helps eliminate signs of disease in the internal organs. Because of them, a woman suffers already in the last stages.

Medical treatment

Depending on the stages of the course of the disease, doctors prescribe a certain therapy.

The patient can be hospitalized only when the course of the disease is advanced.

Drug treatment involves the use of antiretroviral agents:

• Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors - includes drugs: Zidovudine, Abacavir, Phosphazid, Didanosine and Lamivudine.
• Non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors - Etravirine, Nevirapine, Ifavirenz and Delavirdine.
• Drugs that inhibit cell proliferation using Oxycarbamine.
• Use of viral protease inhibitors - Indinavir, Amprenavir, Ritonavir, Nelfinavir and Saquinavir.

Treatment must be prescribed by a qualified physician. Only he is able to prescribe the right dosage of drugs. Many of the remedies listed above have serious side effects.

Alternative home treatments

Any non-traditional HIV treatment at home requires consultation with a specialist. Knowing how and by what means to treat the virus with folk remedies will not be enough.

Therapy of this kind should be supervised by the attending physician.

Nutrition and supplements

Some women make kvass at home, made from banana peels. To prepare such a remedy:

• you will need to cut the skin of the fruit into small cubes;
• then, using a napkin, they are dried and transferred to a jar with a capacity of 3 liters;
• then add 1 glass of sugar;
• followed by 1 teaspoon of sour cream (preferably natural).

The ingredients are mixed and poured with warm boiled water. Cover the jar with gauze and tightly tie the neck. Future kvass is left in a warm place for 14 days. After the time has elapsed, 1 liter of the product is poured to make another drink. The rest is taken no more than 50 milliliters before meals.

Herbs (folk remedies)

The use of a decoction of St. John's wort is considered one of the most effective folk methods in the treatment of HIV.

To prepare this remedy you will need:

• 100 g of crushed plant;
• 50 g sea buckthorn oil;
• 1 liter of water.

First of all, boil water and add St. John's wort in the indicated amount. The broth is boiled for no more than an hour.

The resulting mixture is filtered and sea buckthorn oil is added. The broth is well stirred and allowed to brew for several days.

The drug should be taken no more than 4 times a day. Drink half a glass each time.

Prevention

To reduce the likelihood of HIV infection, women should carefully prepare for sexual intercourse. For this, reliable contraceptives will help. However, latex condoms will not provide complete protection.

The use of syringes or other medical equipment should only be sterilized. It is better to use disposable syringes.

In some cases, if a woman is going to conceive, then the semen should be processed for HIV infection. In any case, doctors should advise her what the risk might be if she tested positive for the virus.

Forecast

An infected woman can live for more than 20 years with the immunodeficiency virus. Each lady has her own timing. Specialists try to help at any stage of the development of the disease. They help determine how long it takes for HIV to show up.

Between the first and fifth stage, there are many options for the development of various secondary diseases. They can be asymptomatic or linger at one stage. For a long time, doctors diagnose this disease, which still kills its carrier.

The course of the virus depends on the body's immunity. Doctors only help to slow down the progress of the disease.

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