What are the symptoms of HIV infection

Most people infected with AIDS are between 18 and 45 years old. The early symptoms of AIDS are similar to those of a cold, with general weakness, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and other symptoms. Antibodies can usually be detected in infected people 12 weeks after infection. In very rare cases, antibodies can only be detected within 3 months or 6 months after infection. The high fever will continue for more than a month. There is currently no effective vaccine to prevent AIDS, so effective preventive measures must be taken.

1. Symptoms of HIV infection

1. General symptoms

Persistent fever, weakness, night sweats, and persistent widespread lymphadenopathy. Especially the swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin is more obvious. The lymph nodes are larger than 1 cm in diameter, firm, movable and painless. Weight loss can reach more than 10% within 3 months, and can be as low as 40%, with patients experiencing particularly noticeable weight loss.

2. Respiratory symptoms

Long-term cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and blood in sputum in severe cases.

3. Gastrointestinal symptoms

Decreased appetite, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools in severe cases. Medications commonly used to treat digestive tract infections are not effective for this type of diarrhea.

4. Neurological symptoms

Dizziness, headache, slow reaction, intellectual impairment, mental abnormality, convulsions, hemiplegia, dementia, etc.

5. Skin and mucous membrane damage

Herpes simplex, herpes zoster, inflammation and ulceration of oral and pharyngeal mucosa.

6. Tumors

A variety of malignant tumors may occur. Kaposi's sarcoma located on the body surface may appear as red or purple macules, papules, and infiltrative masses.

2. Prevention

There is currently no effective vaccine to prevent AIDS, so the most important thing is to take preventive measures. The method is:

1. Maintain a clean and chaste conduct, do not engage in prostitution or solicit prostitution, and avoid premarital and extramarital sexual activity.

2. Drug use is strictly prohibited and syringes should not be shared with others.

3. Do not receive blood transfusions or use blood products without authorization. Use them under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Do not borrow or share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, and shaving knives.

5. Using condoms is one of the most effective measures to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS during sexual intercourse.

6. Avoid direct contact with the blood, semen, milk and urine of AIDS patients to cut off the transmission route.