Five Surprising Signs of HIV Infection

The destructive HIV virus is the cause of the life-threatening acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus destroys our body's defenses, weakening the immune system and making it vulnerable to sickness and infection.

When a person is first infected with HIV, they may experience flu-like symptoms, signaling the start of primary (acute) HIV infection. This initial period of the virus usually lasts for a few weeks.

The devastating consequences of the HIV virus, a highly contagious STI, are all too real. Contaminated needles, illegal drug use, and contact with infected blood are just a few of the ways this virus can be spread. Shockingly, it can even be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. If left untreated, HIV will ravage your body, ultimately leading to AIDS.

Although a cure for HIV/AIDS has yet to elude scientists, a range of drugs have been developed to keep the virus under control. Global organizations are pushing for access to preventative strategies and treatments in resource-poor countries, and their efforts have paid off. Thanks to antiviral therapies, AIDS-related deaths have plummeted all over the world. In the US, treatments and medications are within reach for those who contract HIV. But did you know there are five weird signs that could be indicators of HIV? Keep reading to find out more!

HIV Research Shows Patients Develop Previously Unknown Symptoms

As many as 92% of individuals who have contracted HIV could experience Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS) – an inflammatory response from the body to the virus. ARS can bring on flu-like symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and extreme fatigue.

The dreaded symptoms of Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS), including HIV rash, fever, exhaustion, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle and joint pain, can be a frightening and exhausting experience. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may also be present, though not as often. Unfortunately, studies have uncovered that ARS can potentially lead to more serious, and even life-threatening illnesses.

Thrush Can Be an Early Symptom of HIV

In 2015, the Zurich Primary HIV Prevention Study set off on an ambitious mission to uncover all of the symptoms linked to acute HIV infection. After careful research, the Swiss researchers were astounded to find 18 different illnesses or ailments - more than they ever imagined! Surprisingly, many of these symptoms had gone unnoticed during the original diagnosis.

Astonishingly, 23% of the participants in the study exhibited an AIDS-defining symptom, revealing that their first sign of HIV had progressed to an advanced form. This was exemplified by cases such as esophageal candida (thrush), cytomegalovirus (CMV) of the stomach or liver, herpes zoster (shingles), and even the rare HIV wasting syndrome, which is normally only seen in those with advanced HIV.

Tonsillitis and Stomach Hemorrhage Is Linked with Acute HIV

It was astonishing to learn that 14% of HIV presentations were gastrointestinal symptoms not directly caused by the virus itself. Among these, an incredible 50% of cases were tonsillitis. Even more concerning, some patients experienced stomach bleeding, inflamed gallbladders, and in some egregious instances, partial removal of the colon due to misdiagnosed appendicitis caused by herpes.

Patients with Crone's disease suffered from a range of troublesome symptoms, including morning stomach pains, perspiration, headaches, and extreme fatigue at night. Even worse, they frequently struggled with constipation or diarrhea, making restroom breaks nearly impossible.

Brain Inflammation and Facial Paralysis May Be A Symptom of HIV

An additional 12% of atypical cases were linked to Central Nervous System complications, including life-threatening brain inflammation, like encephalitis and meningitis, as well as temporary facial paralysis and unexpected psychiatric episodes that necessitated hospitalization.

Suffering from meningitis can be a frightening experience, with symptoms such as congestion, swelling, and a sudden rise in body temperature. You may even experience painful headaches that mimic migraines. Don't ignore these warning signs – seek professional medical help immediately. To alleviate the symptoms, make sure to stay hydrated and take a blood thinner like aspirin.

Scientists Are Doing Further Research Into HIV Symptoms

Researchers have made a startling revelation: it appears that individuals with the most robust immune systems may be more prone to a severe acute episode than those with slightly weakened systems. This unexpected discovery could suggest that such conditions may be more widespread among those with strong immune systems than previously assumed.

Although the exact cause of these disorders remains largely unknown, certain factors have been shown to increase the likelihood of their occurrence, such as having a very high viral load (approximately 4-5 million copies per milliliter) at the initial infection stage and being exposed to a non-B HIV sub-type.

Gaining insight into the rapid and far-reaching transmission of HIV through the gut and brain, as well as what could make someone more susceptible to severe gastrointestinal and CNS infections, gives researchers an all-encompassing perspective.