Am I Infected with HIV?
An HIV test can tell if you have become infected with HIV. HIV tests are extremely accurate.
Modern tests can tell if you’ve been infected with HIV very soon after exposure to the virus – normally within two or three weeks.
If you have HIV, it’s very important that it’s diagnosed. This will give you the best chance of getting the treatment and care you need to stay well.
The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for 10 years or more.
The following may be warning signs of advanced HIV infection:
- rapid weight loss
- dry cough
- recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- profound and unexplained fatigue
- swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
- diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
- pneumonia
- red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
- memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
However, no one should assume they are infected if they have any of these symptoms. Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses. Again, the only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You also cannot rely on symptoms to establish that a person hahttp://www.adamslove.org/demo4/admin/cms_add.php?topic=6s AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other illnesses. AIDS is a medical diagnosis made by a doctor based on specific criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
REMEMBER: Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for maintaining your health. Take control of your health and your life.
SOURCE
: CDC.GOV
