HIV Testing, Symptoms and Transmission

HIV/AIDS can be difficult to diagnose so if you suspect you may have contracted HIV, you should get tested for HIV immediately. Symptoms often can take a long time to develop after the intial exposure to HIV, but common symptoms of AIDS include thrush or chronic yeast infections, skin discoloration, easy bruising, nausea, vommiting, and exhaustion. As CD4 cell count drops and the immune system breaks down more advanced symptoms are more severe oppertunistic infections. This can include certain cancers that only occur in people with a weakened immune system, or infections in places where they don’t normally occur. HIV tests are used to confirm the presence of anti HIV cells in your blood or saliva and not the actual virus. Advanced OI’s become more of a problem as the CD4 + count drops below 200 and the immune system becomes greatly weakend. HIV transmission happens when infected bodily fluids enter your body. This happens often during unprotected sexual intercourse and by the sharing of dirty needles. Its always essential to practice safer sex, and always use condoms. Condoms are an effective method for preventing the transmission of HIV and prevents other STDs as well. Practicing safe sex means using a condom every time. If you use drugs that are injected, always use clean needles and never share them. It is important to help raise awareness about HIV transmission, it plays a critical role in preventing HIV spread. You should be tested for HIV even if you think you’re not infected, and if you are sexually active you should get a routine HIV screening. Free HIV testing is often available, and some clinics perodically offer free HIV testing. HIV tests are simple to get, especially with the advent of rapid result test you can be tested and recieve your results within thirty minutes. The RR test is done by taking a sample of salvia and does not require blood.