Untreated, life expectancy with end stage AIDS is about 3 years. With antiretroviral therapy, HIV can be well-managed, and life expectancy can be nearly the same as someone who has not contracted HIV.
Learn about the effects of HIV on the different systems in the body. HIV kills CD4 cells. Healthy adults generally have a CD4 count of to 1, 6 00 per cubic millimeter. An opportunistic infection such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is one that only occurs in a severely immunocompromised person, such as someone with advanced HIV infection AIDS. This may be shorter if the person develops a severe opportunistic illness. However, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can prevent AIDS from developing.
If AIDS does develop, it means that the immune system is severely compromised, that is, weakened to the point where it can no longer successfully respond against most diseases and infections. The first few weeks after someone contracts HIV is called the acute infection stage. During this time, the virus reproduces rapidly. During this stage, some people have no symptoms at first. This is because symptoms of the acute stage can be very similar to those of the flu or other seasonal viruses, such as:.
Because these symptoms are similar to common illnesses like the flu, the person who has them might not think they need to see a healthcare provider. And even if they do, their healthcare provider might suspect the flu or mononucleosis and might not even consider HIV. Whether a person has symptoms or not, during this period their viral load is very high. The viral load is the amount of HIV found in the bloodstream. Initial HIV symptoms usually resolve within a few months as the person enters the chronic, or clinical latency, stage of HIV.
This stage can last many years or even decades with treatment. Learn more about the early symptoms of HIV. After the first month or so, HIV enters the clinical latency stage. This stage can last from a few years to a few decades. As with the early stage, HIV is still transferable during this time even without symptoms and can be transmitted to another person. HIV symptoms at this stage may come and go, or they may progress rapidly.
This progression can be slowed substantially with treatment. With the consistent use of this antiretroviral therapy, chronic HIV can last for decades and will likely not develop into AIDS, if treatment was started early enough.
Learn more about how HIV symptoms can progress over time. Many people with HIV experience changes to their skin. Rash is often one of the first symptoms of an HIV infection.
Generally, an HIV rash appears as multiple small red lesions that are flat and raised. HIV makes someone more susceptible to skin problems because the virus destroys immune system cells that take measures against infection. Co-infections that can cause rash include:. While rash can be caused by HIV co-infections, it can also be caused by medication. Some drugs used to treat HIV or other conditions can cause a rash.
This type of rash usually appears within a week or 2 weeks of starting a new medication. Sometimes the rash will clear up on its own. Symptoms include fever and swelling of the face and tongue. A blistering rash, which can involve the skin and mucous membranes, appears and spreads quickly.
If this develops, emergency medical care is needed. Learn more about HIV rash. These symptoms can come and go or get progressively worse. These include:. Men, and those with a penis, may be more likely than women to notice symptoms of STIs such as sores on their genitals. Learn more about HIV symptoms in men. For the most part, symptoms of HIV are similar in men and women. However, symptoms they experience overall may differ based on the different risks men and women face if they have HIV. However, women, and those with a vagina, may be less likely than men to notice small spots or other changes to their genitals.
While not related to HIV symptoms, another risk for women with HIV is that the virus can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy. However, antiretroviral therapy is considered safe during pregnancy. Women who are treated with antiretroviral therapy are at very low risk for transmitting HIV to their baby during pregnancy and delivery.
Without treatment, the immune system will become severely damaged, and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and severe infections can occur. If you're planning on getting pregnant, it's important to talk to a GP. Although rare, it's possible to transmit HIV to your baby. Anyone who has sex without a condom or shares needles is at risk of HIV infection. There are many effective ways to prevent or reduce the risk of HIV infection, including:. Speak to your local sexual health clinic or a GP for further advice about the best way to reduce your risk.
For people with HIV, if you have been taking effective HIV treatment and your viral load has been undetectable for 6 months or more, it means you cannot pass the virus on through sex. Page last reviewed: 22 April Next review due: 22 April These symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks. Possible symptoms include. But some people may not feel sick during acute HIV infection. Other illnesses can cause these same symptoms. See a health care provider if you have these symptoms and think you may have been exposed to HIV.
Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know for sure. But HIV medicine can slow or prevent progression of the disease. Read the U. Self-testing allows people to get tested for HIV while still following stay-at-home orders and social distancing practices.
Ask your local health department or HIV service organization if they offer self-testing kits. Content Source: HIV. Many Federal agencies have developed public awareness and education campaigns to address HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research. Also included is information about campaigns related to the prevention and diagnosis of hepatitis B and C. El VIH es una amenaza de salud grave para las comunidades latinas, quienes se encuentran en gran desventaja respecto de la incidencia de esta enfermedad en los Estados Unidos.
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