The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects the immune system and weakens people’s defense against most infections and some kinds of cancer that people with healthy immune systems can more easily fight off.
This virus can be spread through intercourse, sharing sharp objects, coming in contact with body fluids, etcetera.
According to VeryWellHealth, some of the signs of HIV are:
1. Night Sweats
Night sweats are more than just being sweaty in your sleep they will wet your clothes and bedding. Night sweats can as well soak through these materials and make you shiver.
Drenching night sweats are never considered normal. You should let your doctor know if you’re experiencing them.
Night sweats can have triggers other than HIV, and some of them are not as chronic as others, for instance, menopause commonly causes night sweats but several kinds of cancer can also.
2. Oral thrush
One of the initial opportunistic infections in people living with HIV is oral thrush. It is referred to as opportunistic as it takes the opportunity to infect a person when their immune system is no longer strong.
Oral thrush is caused by a fungus that can enter the mouth and throat.
Relatively healthy people can also get oral thrush, but it is a signal that their immune system is breaking down.
When a person’s immune system function is not strong, the fungus can spread into the windpipe, lungs, and even the bloodstream.
Having oral thrush does not automatically showcase that you have HIV, but it could signal that you should get tested if you’re at risk.
3. Rashes on the skin
A rash is mostly the first indication of HIV, but it only appears in 2 of every 5 newly infected persons.
An HIV rash appears a certain way: large areas of flat, reddened skin peppered with tiny bumps.
The rash can lead to itching or pain. Once a person gets the rash, flu-like symptoms can also be experienced.
The HIV rash usually begins two to six weeks after being exposed to the virus and will disappear within a week to two. The rash is widespread and mainly affects the trunk and face, but can also appear on the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
