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 8:41 am
Author: AIDSvideos

Length: 00:04:49
Rating: 4.62
Views: 157771

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

Video Comments:
gamemaster014 (October 7, 2008 at 3:41 am)
hi my roomate just moved in AND HE HAS HIV theirs only one bathroom what are the chances of me contracting hiv from him should ask my dorm advisor to switch dorms because i think hes gonna pass on hiv to me somehow like we use the same toilet
AIDSvideos (October 7, 2008 at 9:55 am)
Unless you're planning on having sex with your roommate or sharing needles with him, you have nothing to worry about. Watch our video "HIV in the Household" to learn why you don't need to worry about contracting HIV just because you live with someone who is HIV+.
Ruteger700 (October 6, 2008 at 11:45 pm)
Night sweats. This was an obvious sign to me that there was something wrong. I also became the sickest of my life. I was barfing 10x a day. I am feeling normal again, but the sick was the worst I ever felt - I wanted to die!

Condoms guys. Don't EVER cheat on your wife. As you can give her HIV or other STDs.
COG287 (October 4, 2008 at 5:52 am)
i dont feel sick but i recently went from having a huge apetite to having none,wtf does it mean
AIDSvideos (October 4, 2008 at 7:16 pm)
This is Eric; I'm not a doctor. See a doctor to be evaluated. Only a doctor can diagnose symptoms.
gullunge66 (September 28, 2008 at 7:26 pm)
i know i gained alot of them symptoms after watching this.

good video.
AIDSvideos (September 26, 2008 at 5:23 am)
Guess that's why the video says "If you have one or more of these symptoms, does it necessarily mean you are infected with HIV? No. Many common diseases can cause one or more of these symptoms. For example, most people with a fever or sore throat are probably just experiencing common illnesses such as the cold, influenza, or mononucleosis. So dont panic. But if you .... think theres even the slightest chance you might have been exposed to HIV ... see a doctor and ask to be tested for HIV."
cfishy5 (September 23, 2008 at 8:40 pm)
This video was very helpful. Thank you.
anthj79 (September 17, 2008 at 12:08 am)
PCR or HBDNA Viral load testing is extremely expensive and not covered my most insurance companies without an HIV positive diagnosis. True, it will detect HIV viral load during acute infection and seroconversion, however because of it's cost, it can be prohibitive.
DirtyTownSouth (September 16, 2008 at 1:38 pm)
is saliva considered a body fluid?