HIV Basics: Transmission, Symptoms, and Testing

May 17th, 2009 by admin

HIV/AIDS can be difficult to diagnose so if you suspect you may have contracted HIV, you should get tested for HIV immediately. Symptoms often can take a long time to develop after the intial exposure to HIV, but common HIV symptoms include thrush or chronic yeast infections, skin discoloration, easy bruising, nausea, vommiting, and exhaustion. As the bodies immune system starts to be damage more advanced symptoms can present as more severe OI’s. This includes chronic infections that don’t regularly happen in healthy indivduals and even some cancers. HIV tests are used to confirm the presence of anti HIV cells in your blood or saliva and not the actual virus. Advanced opportunistic infections begin to become prevalent as the immune systems CD4 cells drop below 200. HIV spread happens when infected bodily fluids enter your body. This happens often during unprotected sexual intercourse and by the sharing of dirty needles. Its always essential to practice safer sex, and always use condoms. Condoms are effective at preventing the transmission of HIV as well as other STDs during sex. Practicing safe sex means using a condom every time. If you use drugs that are injected, always use clean needles and never share them. It is important to help raise awareness about HIV transmission, it plays a critical role in preventing HIV spread. You should be tested for HIV even if you think you’re not infected, and if you are sexually active you should get a routine HIV screening. Free HIV testing is often available, and some clinics perodically offer free HIV testing. Getting a HIV test is easy, with the advent of rapid result test you can get screened and get your results within 30 minutes typically. The RR test is done by taking a sample of salvia and does not require blood.