ghani

3 years

Found out that I am hiv positive

I did a blood test last this week, found out that I am hiv positive with some symptoms which I am not sure is related to it
Fatigue and dry cough

Dr Ramzdhan,

4 years

  • Hi there. Thank you for the question. I am sorry to hear that the test turn out to be positive. As to answer your question, yes it is a high possibility that it is related to your condition. You are at high risk of developing tuberculosis so it is advisable to consult a doctor about your dry cough. As for fatigue, yes you will get more tired as the virulence of the virus progresses.

  • Let me share few details about HIV infection. HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs and cells of the human immune system causing a person more prone to other infections. It could be transmitted through sexual contact, perinatal transmission or by blood transmission.

  • Fever, chills, joint pain, muscle aches, sore throat, sweats (particularly at night), enlarged glands, red rashes, tiredness, weakness, unintentional weight loss and thrush are the earliest symptoms of HIV. The symptoms tend to become worst as the virus progresses in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), a drug therapy that slows or prevents the virus from developing.
    Undergoing treatments can stop the progression of the condition. It allows most individuals living with HIV the opportunity to live a long and relatively healthy life.

  • HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs) such as protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), chemokine co-receptor antagonists and entry inhibitors. You may experience nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, headache and skin rashes after starting the medications. Do consult a doctor as soon as possible. All the best!

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