Signs of HIV can be hard to spot

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most difficult challenges surrounding the eradication of HIV in the U.S. is that many Americans do not know they have the virus. The CDC estimates that there are 1.2 million people in the U.S. with HIV, and about 240,000 of them are unaware that they are infected. This is why it is necessary for people who engage in unprotected sex to visit sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing centers.

Recently, The Guardian Express published an article explaining the signs that people should look out for that may be indicating that they have HIV. According to the news source, the first sign of the virus is a fever, which appears two-to-four weeks following infection. However, these fever symptoms are usually mild and will eventually clear up, so many people mistake this HIV indicator is a normal flu.

Next, the information provider said that skin irritation may appear on HIV-infected individuals.

"Another early symptom of HIV is a rash. It usually presents in the form of a general rash that appears as patches of skin that are gradually discolored from other areas of the body. The rash may show raised vesicles and simply fade away within a week to a month after it first developed," according to the news source.

Also, men with HIV often experience mild to moderate headaches, which may seem like a part of everyday life. Swollen glands are another common symptom, and they can be found in the neck, armpit or groin.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that people experiencing night sweats, joint pain and mouth or gential ulcers should visit the doctor to get tested for HIV.

HIV is easier to treat when it is caught in the early stages. This is why people should be tested for STDs and HIV regularly.