HIV Symptoms To Watch Out For In Women

 

HIV symptoms to watch out for: In the United States, about two out of every three new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in women are due to unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Sharing infected needles for drug use is another leading cause.
Early symptoms of HIV  infection may be mild and easily unnoticed and dismissed. Unfortunately,  even without noticeable symptoms, an infected person can still pass the  virus on to others. Read on to learn some common symptoms of HIV in  women. Early Symptoms Can Be Fleeting  In the early weeks after becoming infected with HIV, it is not uncommon  for women to be asymptomatic. Some may have mild flu-like symptoms,  including fever, headache, and lack of energy. Often, these symptoms go  away within a few weeks.  In some cases, it may take as many as ten years for more severe symptoms  to appear. During this time, the virus can still be transmitted from  one person to another. 

Swollen Glands:  We all have lymph nodes throughout our bodies, including the neck, back  of the head, armpits, and groin. As part of the immune system, our lymph  nodes work to fend off infections. As the HIV infection begins to  spread, the immune system kicks into high gear. The result is enlarged  lymph nodes, commonly known as swollen glands. It is often one of the  first signs of HIV. In people infected with HIV, swollen glands may last  for several months .
Infections HIV makes it harder for the immune system to fight off germs, so it’s easier for opportunistic infections to take hold. Some of these include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C. People with HIV are more prone to infections of the skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys, digestive tract, and brain. It may also be more difficult to treat common ailments like the flu. Taking extra precautions, including frequent hand washing and taking HIV medications can help prevent some of these illnesses and their complications
Fever and Night Sweats: People infected with HIV may experience long periods of low-grade fever. According to Ohio State University Wexler Medical Center, a temperature between 99.8 and 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit is considered to be a low-grade fever. A fever means that something is wrong, but the cause isn’t always obvious. Because it’s a low-grade fever, those who are unaware of their HIV-positive status may ignore the symptom. Sometimes, fever is accompanied by nighttime sweats that can interfere with sleep.

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