Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV in China is now on the rise. At present, there are estimated of about 1.5 million, or about 0.1 percent of the total present population, are suffering from the disease. The worse thing is, the number of cases is still increasing because of drug use and prostitution.
Among all the patients with HIV, the most prevalent are men who are sexually active with the same gender, according to Avert. Given this reason, it is crucial to get checked especially if the person is already showing symptoms. Like any other diseases, the earlier HIV is checked, the higher the possibility one can live longer and peacefully with proper treatment and medication.
Acute Illness
Most people experience this flu-like illness within two to four weeks of acquiring HIV. Considered as the first stage of HIV, the body will experience the symptoms until it has created enough antibodies it needs to fight away the virus. Through this stage, people would often experience body rash, sore throat, fever, and severe headaches. Other people also have swollen lymph nodes, ulcers in the mouth and penis, fatigue, joint pain, night sweats, nausea, and vomiting.
Asymptomatic Period
During this time, primary symptoms have already disappeared, and most probably, the disease is now being silent for months or even for years. This means the body will not show any symptom at all. Without the person's knowledge, during this phase, the virus is already starting to double up in numbers and already working its way in weakening his immune system. Given this reason, it is indeed crucial to get checked no matter how fine one person feels.
Advanced Infection
When the body's immune system is already too weak, this is the time where HIV becomes AIDS, which is known as the final stage of the disease. Without the guards that could battle against infections and bacteria, people who are in this stage are more at risks of viruses and fungal infections.
Symptoms during this period includes vomiting, persistent diarrhea, nausea, chronic fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, rapid weight loss, recurring fever, chills, night sweats, memory loss, confusion or neurological disorders, long-term swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, neck or armpits, rashes or lesions on the penis, mouth or under the skin.
One thing to remember though is that symptoms of HIV vary, as posted by Health Line. The only thing that is constant with the disease is it usually follows the three periods: the acute illness, asymptomatic period, and advanced infection.
