The difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome, or a set of clinical signs and symptoms caused by late-stage HIV infection, especially in the presence of opportunistic infections. Shortly after a person is infected with HIV, he or she may experience ARS (Acute-Retroviral Syndrome). This can just be a flu-like illness, with symptoms of fever, sweats, sore throat, etc. There is also a high risk of concurrent STD infection. STD screening and rapid HIV testing are important to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Anonymous HIV testing is available at select clinics

STAGE 1: ACUTE HIV INFECTION

Acute HIV Infection occurs within 2 – 4 weeks after exposure. During this stage, Human Immunodeficiency Viruses will multiply rapidly, and start attacking the body's immunity system by destroying CD4 cells.

An individual will typically experience Flu-like symptoms, HIV rash, HIV fever, and other HIV signs and symptoms. HIV transmission risk at this stage is the highest.

Acute-Retroviral Syndrome:

As the whole body is reacting to fight off HIV, one may experience a variety of symptoms affecting all bodily systems. Some other Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs may display similar signs and symptoms to HIV. Comprehensive STD testing is available to diagnose those STDs.

General HIV Symptoms

• Fever
• Night Sweats
• Lethargy
• Malaise
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Weight loss

Signs and Symptoms of Skin

• Rash (HIV Rash)
• Ulcer on the penis, vaginal and other parts of the body

Digestive HIV Symptoms

• Nausea,
• Diarrhea,
• Loss of Appetite

Neurological HIV Symptoms

• Headache

Musculoskeletal

• Muscle aches
• Joint aches

Some guys won’t have any symptoms for years; while others go through a seroconversion illness a few weeks after contracting HIV. The symptoms of this illness can include any or all of the following:

Flu-like symptoms, Fever, Rashes, Sore throat, Swollen glands, Vomiting and diarrhea.

The seroconversion illness varies in severity and usually lasts a couple of weeks; afterward, a person will recover and feel as healthy as they normally do. If HIV isn’t tested for and treated, a person’s health will start to fail within the next decade. They might notice skin problems, stomach issues, or oral thrush, but as their immune system becomes more damaged they are at risk of conditions like pneumonia, brain infections, and certain cancers. It’s important to say that this is very rare nowadays, and it can be easily avoided with regular HIV testing and treatment.

STAGE 2: ESTABLISHED HIV INFECTION (Asymptomatic HIV infection or Clinical Latency)

During the Chronic HIV Infection phase, HIV reproduces at a lower level. HIV-related signs and symptoms will disappear. The immunity system will gradually be weakened and destroyed. It will take a few years before the HIV infection progresses to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or the last stage.

If a person living with HIV is undergoing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) or HIV Treatment, the infection at the chronic stage can be suppressed. The person needs to adhere strictly to the HIV treatment regime.

STAGE 3: ACQUIRED IMMUNO DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES (AIDS)

At this phase, the CD4 for a person living with HIV has fallen drastically. In other words, a person’s immunity is severely damaged by HIV. With weak immunity, a person is prone to getting serious infections or bacterial and fungal diseases that otherwise be able to fight off. These sorts of infection and diseases are called Opportunistic infection (OI).

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Anonymous HIV testing is when you get tested for HIV without having to tell your name, NRIC numbers, or contact numbers. No personal data are recorded, even your positive results of the HIV tests. It will not be reported to the government. You will be required to fill in a form and anonymous questionnaire so that you can provide details about yourself but all details will be kept strictly confidential. Upon registration, you may have to provide your email address because test results can be sent to your given email address but if you prefer that your result is told verbally, that can be done too.