Early Stage HIV Symptoms in Women

A list of early signs of HIV in women

HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system in the body and is also known as “the human immunodeficiency virus). If left untreated this can develop into AIDS, a stage where the virus is no longer manageable by medicine and can cause early death. HIV can be transmitted from one person to another from bodily fluids like blood, breast milk, seamen, or rectal fluids. The most common ways to catch HIV is through sexual activity, and needle or syringe use or from mother to baby when breastfeeding. There is currently no cure for HIV, but It can be treated to help manage the symptoms and prevent spreading by a doctor.

In this article, we will share with you a list of early signs of HIV in women. Although the virus can lay dormant in the body for up to 7 years, you may experience these early signs as little as 2 weeks after infection.

1. Flu-like Symptoms: In the early weeks after catching the HIV virus, women may feel feelings of the flu. You may experience a lack of energy, rashes on the skin, a fever, headache, and swollen lymph glands.

2. Skin Rashes: It is very common to develop skin problems like rashes and sores if you have contracted HIV. Women may find also find sores or lesions on the genitals, anus and skin in the mouth.

3. Menstrual Changes: Some women notice lighter or heavier periods and may even miss periods after catching HIV. HIV affects the hormones which may also trigger cramps, fatigue or breast tenderness. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to get a check-up as soon as possible.

4. Rapid Weight Loss: If you are not receiving treatment for HIV and you are infected, the virus can cause nausea, diarrhea and appetite loss. This makes can make you lose weight very quickly.

5. Mood Changes: HIV can cause neurological disorders in women such as anxiety, depression, memory loss and feelings of hopelessness. The virus is systematically weakening the body as the immune system is being damaged. Never suffer in silence, always contact a doctor if you feel any of the above changes.

6. Swollen Glands: One of the earliest signs of HIV in women is swollen glands or lymph nodes. These are located in the neck, armpits, groin and back of the head. As HIV begins to spread the immune system causes swelling in these nodes or glands.

7. Infections: As HIV attacks the immune system, the body can no longer fight off germs like bacteria and other invaders. This can cause the body to contract secondary infections like tuberculosis, yeast infections and pneumonia. Women may also experience infections in the eyes, skin, brain, kidneys, digestive tract and lungs. Taking antiretroviral medications from doctors can help to prevent some of these infections.

8. Night Sweats: The body often develops a fever when it has been infected with HIV. A temperature between 99.8°F (37.7°C) and 100.8°F (38.2°C) is a low-grade fever which people often experience. Sometimes you may also experience night sweats.

9. PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is when the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes become infected. This disease can be harder to treat if you are infected with HIV and symptoms may last longer than usual.

10. Cough: Women may experience a mild cough at the start of the infection which can develop into a long term cough. If the cough does not go away for more than one month, be sure to get checked out as chronic cough is common in HIV patients.

As you can see there are many signs that you can stream out for in the early stages of HIV. These symptoms can occur in different time periods, and every woman is different. Be sure to contact a health care professional or doctor if you feel that any of these symptoms are occurring. They can perform some simple tests to find out if you have been infected with HIV or not. Early diagnosis of HIV can help to increase life expectancy, as there are treatments and therapies available to manage this disease. If left untreated HIV can develop into AIDS a life-threatening illnesses as the condition becomes no longer treatable. Eating immune-boosting foods rich in antioxidants may help to manage symptoms alongside HIV medication. Leafy greens like Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Spinach, Arugula, Sea Kelp and Beet Tops are all excellent sources of antioxidants to strengthen the immune system. We also recommend eating good sources of fat like avocado’s, extra virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, virgin cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel and tuna. These can help to lower inflammation in the body and take away some of the strain. You should avoid sugary foods and drinks as these can heighten your risk of heart disease when you have HIV.