Did I Just Contract HIV? Symptoms of Primary HIV Infection

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It's sometimes possible to recognize when you've recently contracted HIV from signs and symptoms such as fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes. This video will teach you how to recognize signs and symptoms of primary HIV infection that are experienced by between 40 and 90% of individuals after they are first infected with HIV. Primary HIV infection occurs during the first few weeks or months after a person first becomes infected with HIV. Symptoms include rash and/or fevers, possibly in combination with one or more of the following symptoms: malaise (which is a general feeling of weakness, discomfort, and fatigue), loss of appetite, weight loss, a sore throat, sores in the mouth, joint or muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, fatigue, night sweats, nausea and vomiting, headache, or genital sores. The symptoms usually last from seven to ten days, and rarely more than two weeks. There is an incubation period of a few days to a few weeks between when the person was exposed to HIV and when the symptoms begin. If you have any of these symptoms and think there's even the slightest chance you might have been exposed to HIV, such as through recent sexual activity or sharing a needle, even with someone who you believe is HIV negative, you should see a doctor and ask to be tested for HIV. When you go to the doctor with any of these symptoms, it's very important to mention any risk factors you may have for HIV so they could test you. If you have ever had unprotected sex, even once, have used injection drugs, or think you might be experiencing primary HIV infection, make sure to tell your doctor. Visit and to learn more. [Do you want to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS? Are you fluent in a language other than English? Then volunteer to translate this video into another language! Click to to learn how you can help!!!]

Channel: Education
Uploaded: July 4, 2007 at 12:41 am
Author: AIDSvideos

Length: 00:04:49
Rating: 4.61
Views: 189984

Tags: hiv aids primary infection symptoms test fever rash lymph nodes fatigue nausea vomiting sore throat mouth genital joint

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Video Comments:
AIDSvideos (December 4, 2008 at 1:29 pm)
This is Eric; I'm not a doctor. If you think you have any HIV risk factors (like unprotected sex), get tested now since that could capture any possible past exposures, even if not your most recent one. Tell the doctor all your exposures and follow their instructions for follow-up testing.
AIDSvideos (December 4, 2008 at 1:03 pm)
Finally, I do agree with you that if everyone were to refrain from premarital sex and be faithful in marriage thereafter, HIV would slowly disappear. I've never said anything to the contrary. What disturbs me is the tone of your remarks and the absence of love and compassion. Christ didn't heal SOLELY to show His divinity and power; he clearly cared about those who were sick and suffering and wanted us to care as well. "Whatever you do for the least of these ..."
AIDSvideos (December 4, 2008 at 12:58 pm)
Darain - I never said that God does not or should not judge; I quoted scripture chapter and verse to point out that perhaps you, Darain, should hesitate to judge. I'm not restricting God in any way; I'm urging YOU to show humility and caution in judging others, and I'm urging you to avoid blanket statements that do not account for the various ways HIV is transmitted. I'm also urging you to focus more on showing love and compassion, which are notably absent from your comments.
DannyDee08 (December 4, 2008 at 2:18 am)
do you have to wait 3 months before being tested
scolton4life (December 3, 2008 at 3:37 pm)
if 2 people.. i dont know loose a tooth and they happen to make out with eachother and one has hiv and there blood gets into the other persons moth can they get infected?
x5lover123 (December 2, 2008 at 8:07 pm)
Hey i know for a fact that HIV virus lives outside of the body for only 8 sec or in the air ,so have a little peace of mind, you can also check this with a doctor..
anbesa (December 2, 2008 at 1:21 am)
if you happen to notice your cells are begging to dilute and the membraine of you enthuaciases infragmently attends the DNA while in the process of creating the structure for the new life it outstandingly counteracts and than reacts to what the i was saying earlier wich is how Magic Johnson reversed it quit inginouse i might say
AIDSvideos (December 1, 2008 at 7:24 pm)
This is Eric; I'm not a doctor. As a layperson: coughing up clear mucus could be a symptom of many different things; clear mucus is generally considered less worrisome than cloudy or colored mucus; if it continues, you should see a doctor and be evaluated. Regardless of what happens with the mucus, if you have any possible risk factors for HIV (unprotected sex, etc.), get tested for HIV just to be safe.
AIDSvideos (December 1, 2008 at 7:21 pm)
Also: "if u get hiv u deserve it"? Really? If a person contracts HIV through rape, do they "deserve it"? If an infant contracts HIV from their mother, do they "deserve it"? If a health care worker contracts HIV through a needle stick accident, do they "deserve it"? If a married person contracts HIV from their HIV+ spouse, do they "deserve it"? Be careful about blanket statements. Darain, right now, what's "shining through" from you is neither beautiful nor Christlike.
AIDSvideos (December 1, 2008 at 7:04 pm)
Your videos choices suggest that you consider yourself a Christian. Some reminders: (1) Christ preached "HEAL the sick," (Matt 10:8) not "HATE the sick." (2) "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37) How about you take a break from judging and condemning the alleged sins of others and focus on seeking forgiveness for your OWN sins? It's also wrong to label all who contract HIV through sex "sex addicts."