HIV Symptoms in Men and Women

There are approximately 38.6 million people who are afflicted with HIV (or human immunodeficiency virus), which is also the main cause of AIDS. HIV damages the cells that make up the immune system, thus resulting in the body's inability to ward off fungi, viruses and bacteria that set off diseases.

Since its early symptoms resemble that of common flu, no one usually suspects an HIV infection and even the result of a diagnostic tool -- the ELISA test -- is typically negative during the primary infection phase and the infection cannot be detected through diagnostic tests until about six months after getting infected.

Thus symptoms either mild or severe cannot be considered as solely the symptoms of AIDS as other forms of sickness or diseases also witness the similar symptoms. But however, when the disease reaches its critical stage, the symptoms become very much acute thus leading to loss of weight, recurrent fever and also occurrence of certain fatal diseases. AIDS thus totally destroys the immune system of the body totally.

The presence of these antibodies is what allows a diagnosis to be made by doctors. While they often develop within a few weeks, it is important to be tested for at least a year after contact with someone who is positive and to get tested regularly if you are sexually active or are exposed to bodily fluids.