Early Signs Of HIV To Be Aware Of

Getting Tested

Getting tested for HIV is imperative for one’s health, especially if they are at risk or have exchanged bodily fluids with another human being. Even if an individual shows no signs and is not receiving treatment, they can easily transmit the virus to another person unknowingly. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available today that can effectively eliminate the risk of transmitting the virus to another person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antiretroviral therapy can suppress the virus to an extent. When an HIV-positive patient is able to maintain an undetectable viral load, which is fewer than 200 copies of the virus per milliliter(mL) of blood, they cannot transmit the virus to others. Multiple studies have proven that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy correlates to a decreased risk of HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. However, delaying therapy until an individual’s CD4 count drops below 350 cells/mL is associated with more infections and a profound decrease in life expectancy.

Taking an HIV test is the only known way to determine whether an individual has the virus or not. The CDC recommends that everyone in the United States between the ages of thirteen and sixty-four should be tested at least once for HIV as a safety precaution. If detected, it is now recommended that HIV therapy begins at the time of diagnosis, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of illness and death by fifty-seven percent.

If you believe you are at risk or are concerned about HIV/AIDS, please visit a medical professional and get tested as soon as possible as you can save not only your life but countless others.