How Can I Know If I Have Contracted HIV?

HIV/AIDS is a currently incurable disease with a very rapid transmission rate. Its main modes of transmission are sexual contact, blood transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. To determine if one has contracted HIV/AIDS, it is first necessary to assess whether there have been any high-risk behaviors. Twelve weeks after such behaviors, an HIV antibody test can be used to confirm the condition. Additionally, individuals can assess their risk based on symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS. HIV primarily infects the body, replicating rapidly and destroying the immune system, ultimately leading to death. The progression of HIV/AIDS can be divided into three stages: acute infection, asymptomatic infection, and full-blown AIDS.

Methods for Determining HIV/AIDS Infection

There are two primary ways to assess whether an individual has contracted HIV/AIDS:

1. Testing

HIV has a long incubation period during which no symptoms may appear. To determine if one has HIV/AIDS, a blood test should be conducted at a reputable healthcare facility. A positive HIV antibody test result indicates the presence of HIV.

2. Symptoms

Once the incubation period has passed, symptoms of HIV/AIDS may manifest. Early symptoms may include persistent fever above 38 degrees Celsius, which is unresponsive to physical cooling methods. Other symptoms may include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, frequent diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, and night sweats. In some cases, there may be persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, electrolyte imbalance, and acidosis.

Clinical Stages of HIV Infection

After contracting HIV, the clinical manifestations can be divided into four stages based on cellular immune status: acute infection, asymptomatic HIV infection (AC), AIDS-related complex (ARC), and full-blown AIDS.

(1) Acute Infection Stage

Occurs 2-6 weeks after infection, presenting with a series of acute HIV symptoms. However, HIV antibody tests during this stage are typically negative. Symptoms usually resolve within 1-4 weeks, followed by a varying length of asymptomatic incubation.

(2) Asymptomatic Stage

After the acute infection stage, individuals enter an asymptomatic phase with no clinical symptoms. However, HIV can be detected in the blood, making this stage the most dangerous period for transmission.

(3) Pre-AIDS Stage

Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, night sweats, diarrhea, weight loss, and generalized lymphadenopathy may appear. HIV antibodies are detectable in the blood.

(4) AIDS Stage

This stage is characterized by a significant decline in immune function, worsening of symptoms, positive HIV antibody tests, and a significant decrease in CD4-T lymphocyte count. Individuals are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections and malignancies.